Trump Official Who Wants Data Centers on Public Lands Invests in AI

Saturday, November 07, 2026

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is heavily invested in the AI industry, is leading the charge to allow tech companies to build data centers on the public lands he oversees.

Posted by reinheitsgebot at 08:33 AM | 46 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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NEW: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has tens of millions of dollars invested in the AI industry. Meanwhile, he is leading the Trump administration's charge to allow tech companies to build data centers on the public lands he oversees.

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-- ProPublica (@propublica.org) 8:02 AM Â· Nov 6, 2026

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Follow the money.

#1 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-11-07 05:40 AM | Reply

"But advancing the administration's AI objectives also could benefit Burgum's own finances."

Purely a coincidence, I'm sure! And would that also benefit the Trump Crime Family? More coincidences?

#2 | Posted by danni at 2026-11-07 08:47 AM | Reply

Only the "Finest People"

#3 | Posted by bat4255 at 2026-11-07 08:53 AM | Reply

Everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund is invested in AI.

#4 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-07 09:06 AM | Reply

"Everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund is invested in AI."

That's really not a valid comparison though. Burgum's wealth is heavily concentrated and directly tied to private tech and venture-backed AI interests via Arthur Ventures (the investment firm he co-founded) and direct equities. Rather than a diversified, passive market tracker, his multi-million-dollar direct and co-founded venture holdings mean he stands to experience a massive, individualized financial gain from targeted federal policies that expand AI infrastructure onto public lands. A pretty clear conflict of interest.

#5 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-11-07 10:35 AM | Reply

"he stands to experience a massive, individualized financial gain from targeted federal policies that expand AI infrastructure onto public lands."

Should be a priority for Democrats but we'll see if they are really going to do the jobs they were all elected to do! Makes me think people like AOC need leadership rolls!

#6 | Posted by danni at 2026-11-07 10:59 AM | Reply

"Make America Grift Again!" - Visitor Approved

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2026-11-07 12:10 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#7 ... "Make America Grift Again!" ...

Exactly.

Trump admin grifting and corruption was at or near the top of most polling.

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-11-07 01:07 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund is invested in AI.

So? I'm still WAY willing to take a hit in share values to keep data centers off public lands and heavily regulated.

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-11-07 03:31 PM | Reply

"Everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund is invested in AI."

Hahahaha

This is like Goatman saying if you turned on the lights you acknowledge global warming is a hoax.

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-11-07 03:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

@#4 ... Everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund is invested in AI. ...

Yes, but ~everyone that owns a US stock index mutual fund~ does not have the level of control over the sale of public lands that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has.

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-11-07 06:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

What's the argument against data centers?

Why wouldn't you want it on public land that is basically useless.

Government could generate revenue from it forever.

#12 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-11-07 07:12 PM | Reply

@#12 ... Why wouldn't you want it on public land that is basically useless. ...

The topic of this thread seems to be a Trump admin official using his office to benefit his personal stock holdings.

Typical behavior within the Trump admin.

Do try to keep up ...

#13 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-11-07 07:15 PM | Reply

Trump admin grifting and corruption was at or near the top of most polling.
- gaslighter

Don't you understand eventually Repubs will be out of office and Dems will control public lands....

Tax the ---- out of them. It is the definition of socialism and nationalism, the very thing you say you want ...but I guess only if your team gets the grift that you want it,

Do I have that right?

Morons.

#14 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-11-07 07:16 PM | Reply

The topic of this thread seems to be a Trump admin official using his office to benefit his personal stock holdings.
- gaslighter

So what. Seriously what do you think socialism is?

Congress has been making millions upon millions and none of you say ----.

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-11-07 07:17 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Do I have that right?

Usually, no.

#16 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-11-07 07:20 PM | Reply

Here's a test but I already know the answer based upon your Israel position.

You could have socialism in the US, but 100,000 Republicans are going to be billionaires, would you do it?

Would you make that trade?

If you wouldn't then you really don't want socialism....

#17 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-11-07 07:21 PM | Reply

Usually, no.

#16 | Posted by REDIAL

As usual no reason why from the alias thats from the country that used to play ice hockey

#18 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-11-07 07:23 PM | Reply

@#16 ... Usually, no. ...

Exactly.

And it is so funny how some current trolling aliases seem to try to project Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's action, who is heavily invested in the AI industry, as anything else than the overt grift it may be.

OK, maybe less funny, and more lame.

I mean, it seems to be all they got of late. Lameness.

#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-11-07 08:07 PM | Reply

Apparently he believes in AI and their importance to America's future and prosperity to invest his own money. Don't recall any push back on the fortune Democrats made with passage of the ACA.

#20 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 10:50 AM | Reply

Apparently he believes in AI and their importance to America's future and prosperity to invest his own money.

#20 | Posted by visitor

If you make the decisions in government, you can't make money from them.

This is a simple, centuries old, principle of good government we hope to get back to.

In my opinion, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is rich enough.

He doesn't need to cheat to get more money.

#21 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 11:05 AM | Reply

A list of decision makers that left office with the same or fewer assets is a very very short list.

#22 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 12:10 PM | Reply

#22
Would love to see someone do a serious study of that subject. Especially as to brazenness and scale.

#23 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-11-08 12:38 PM | Reply

A list of decision makers that left office with the same or fewer assets is a very very short list.

#22 | Posted by visitor

Harry Truman would call them crooks.

What Harry Truman would call someone like Donald Trump beggars imagination.

#24 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:44 PM | Reply

A list of decision makers that left office with the same or fewer assets is a very very short list.

#22 | Posted by visitor

This sort of MAGA whataboutism should be dead to you or any American, if you still lay claim to being an American.

Let me repeat myself:

If you make the decisions in government, you can't make money from them.

This is a simple, centuries old, principle of good government we hope to get back to.

#25 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:46 PM | Reply

But of course it's different when Democrats do it.

#26 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 12:49 PM | Reply

When you are willingly blind to corruption by the home team, the other guys will seem much worse by comparison. No enemies to the left, right comrade?

#27 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 12:51 PM | Reply

But of course it's different when Democrats do it.

#26 | Posted by visitor

I don't see how.

#28 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:53 PM | Reply

Yes. Please.

Fight Fight Fight visitor!

It's much more fun that way.

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-11-08 12:54 PM | Reply

26 | Posted by visitor

Why do you think that Trump/MAGA was rejected?

#30 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:54 PM | Reply

Sounds like Visitor took a recent hit to his weekly allowance money. Pobrecito.

#31 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-11-08 12:54 PM | Reply

the other guys will seem much worse by comparison.

#27 | Posted by visitor

The other guys were objectively rotten. Not by comparison. Objectively. Stand alone.

#32 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:56 PM | Reply

26 | Posted by visitor

MAGA as a movement rejects normative American values. This is how you all became enamored of kleptofascist Russia.

That's the start of my explanation about why Trump/MAGA failed.

What's yours?

#33 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 12:59 PM | Reply

#27 | Posted by visitor

Why hasn't Trump pulled out all the stops towards subverting the recent elections?

Because the American people did what they needed to do: turned out in the millions required to scare that bully silly.

Is Trump done with his maliciousness? Of course not.

But we just shot him in both legs, so it's a lot harder.

#34 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 01:03 PM | Reply

Republicans gave no reason to vote for them, Democrats at least had Trump hatred.

#35 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 01:05 PM | Reply

Why hasn't Trump pulled out all the stops towards subverting the recent elections? Because he's not the fascist you believe him to be.

#36 | Posted by visitor_ at 2026-11-08 01:06 PM | Reply

Why wouldn't you want it on public land that is basically useless.

Because it isn't "basically useless" you unAmerican s*&^stain.

#37 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:08 PM | Reply

Tax the ---- out of them. It is the definition of socialism and nationalism, the very thing you say you want ...but I guess only if your team gets the grift that you want it,

Do I have that right?

As usual, no, no you don't have it right you stupid pile of s*&^.

#38 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:09 PM | Reply

Congress has been making millions upon millions and none of you say ----.

#15 | Posted by oneironaut

Wrong again, dumbf*&^.

#39 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:10 PM | Reply

Onelumpofs*&^ is on a tirade of unmitigated idiocy today.

#40 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:11 PM | Reply

- Because he's not the fascist you believe him to be.

Because his losses were overwhelming.

#41 | Posted by Corky at 2026-11-08 01:11 PM | Reply

Why hasn't Trump pulled out all the stops towards subverting the recent elections? Because he's not the fascist you believe him to be.

#36 | Posted by visitor

He has already attempted a coup against the country of his birth. He earned the description of fascist at least from that point.

#42 | Posted by Zed at 2026-11-08 01:12 PM | Reply

This sort of MAGA whataboutism should be dead to you or any American, if you still lay claim to being an American.

You're speaking to a stupid lump of s*&^ who would do the world a favor by stepping into traffic.

People like visitor, onelumpofs*&^, fistedp^&&% and lfthndcuck use more oxygen than is worthwhile they contribute so little to the world.

#43 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:14 PM | Reply

When you are willingly blind to corruption by the home team, the other guys will seem much worse by comparison. No enemies to the left, right comrade?

#27 | Posted by visitor_

STFU idiot. The other teams is much worse. Objectively.

You stupid f*&^.

#44 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:15 PM | Reply

Because he's not the fascist you believe him to be.

#36 | Posted by visitor_

LOL

#45 | Posted by jpw at 2026-11-08 01:16 PM | Reply

"The other team" doesn't lead off with a multiple counts convicted criminal and known election rigger as their party leader.

#46 | Posted by Corky at 2026-11-08 01:17 PM | Reply