‘I was duped’: Utah senator apologizes for sharing Kevin O’Leary’s ‘Chinese Communists’ claim

State Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, has issued an apology for circulating unsubstantiated claims by businessman Kevin O’Leary, suggesting that opponents of the proposed Box Elder County data center were financially supported by “Chinese Communists.” Weiler admitted to being “duped” by the narrative, which he had previously shared in a six-post thread, fueling a contentious local debate.

The apology comes amid intense scrutiny and public outcry surrounding the massive data center project, originally envisioned by O'Leary as potentially the largest in the world. Senator Weiler’s retraction acknowledges the baseless nature of the accusations against local residents and activists who have been vocal in their opposition to the project. The controversy has deeply entangled Utah politics, with the data center becoming a flashpoint for concerns over land use, environmental impact, and local autonomy.

The article highlights that this incident is part of a larger pattern of fallout from the data center controversy. Fox News channels have also apologized to Utah critics after O'Leary's 'Chinese Communist' claims were broadcast. The political repercussions have been significant, with Senate President J. Stuart Adams — whose leadership was reportedly “burdened by data center fallout” — being ousted by voters. These events underscore the high stakes and deep community divisions stirred by the development plans in Box Elder County.

Further compounding the issue, a lawsuit has been filed alleging that leaders from MIDA (Utah Inland Port Authority) and Box Elder County violated residents’ rights in the data center plan. The widespread opposition, fueled by fears that the project could “transform the ‘mythical American West’,” ultimately led Kevin O’Leary to scale back his ambitious proposal. Weiler's apology, while belated, marks another public acknowledgment of the flawed and damaging rhetoric that has characterized a significant chapter in Box Elder County's ongoing development debates and local political landscape.