AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, criticized government policies and corporate influence in a Sunday social media post that addressed data centers, health care, housing, immigration and artificial intelligence.
Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st Congressional District, said Americans were tired of government and corporations telling them to “trust us” and argued that corporate interests had contributed to rising costs and other problems.
Roy focused much of his post on the growth of data centers, criticizing large developments that he said consume land, water and electricity while increasing costs for consumers.
“Americans want to stop being told what to do by government and corporate asshats who say just ‘trust us,’” Roy wrote on X.
He also criticized the expansion of artificial intelligence and raised concerns about corporate influence on public policy.
Roy’s comments also addressed public schools, LGBTQ+ issues and Islam, broadening the post beyond his criticism of government and corporate power.
Roy, 54, will leave the 21st Congressional District in 2027 after serving eight years in Congress. He spent $17 million of his own money on his unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for Texas attorney general this year. Galveston state Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated him in the primary.
Roy remains one of Texas’ most conservative members of Congress and has also criticized President Donald Trump. He supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign and previously said Trump engaged in “impeachable conduct” related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Roy’s remarks come as data center development faces increased scrutiny in Texas over its potential effects on electricity demand, water use, land and utility costs.
