Kevin O'Leary's Wonder Valley Project Sparks Backlash in Utah
In early May 2026, Kevin O’Leary promoted his ambitious data center project called 'Wonder Valley,' located on a vast 40,000-acre site near the Great Salt Lake. The development includes plans for a dedicated gas power plant generating up to 9 gigawatts of electricity—more than double Utah’s average consumption—and was fast-tracked with support from state leaders. O’Leary claimed online criticism against his project stemmed from Chinese interference, naming several individuals and organizations as potentially linked. However, six weeks later he issued a clarification denying any evidence supporting these claims. Fox Business also apologized for the error in reporting O'Leary's allegations without sufficient proof. The controversy led to defamation lawsuits being filed by those named against both O’Leary and Fox News Media. The project has faced growing local opposition, with residents expressing concerns over environmental impact and transparency.
Topics: celebrity involvement data centers government approval infrastructure development public backlash