EPISODE · Jul 21, 2026 · 35 MIN
H3 - Discussion on data centers, non-citizen voter concerns, and local healthcare issues from The Charlie James Show on July 21, 2026.
from The Charlie James Show Podcast
During the July 21, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show (Hour 3), host Charlie James engaged with local callers on pressing regional and national topics. The discussion opened with callers from Spartanburg and Pickens debating the rapid expansion of local data centers, weighing the necessity of technological infrastructure and AI progress against environmental side effects like constant noise, diesel emissions, and high water and energy demands. The conversation then shifted to national issues, specifically election integrity and public healthcare. James analyzed reports regarding non-citizen voter registration data and criticized political leadership over election security transparency. Additionally, he discussed local political figures, addressing claims made about South Carolina’s healthcare system by contrasting political campaign messaging with the financial realities of corporate healthcare structures.
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Transcript: The Charlie James Show (Tue July 21, 2026 - Hour 3) Charlie James: And welcome back to the program, glad to have you along on this Tuesday afternoon. Let's go to Billy in Spartanburg. Billy, what's on your mind? Billy: Hey Charlie, just talking about those data centers in Spartanburg. You know, I'm for 'em. Charlie James: Okay. Billy: You know, we got—here's my question, it's like, you know, who is the greatest adversary right now that we got? Charlie James: China. So, that's going to be your talking point. You're going to say, "If we don't build these data centers, China's going to." Billy: That's right. Charlie James: Okay. Well, who would be—let me ask you something. Who would be the number one group of people that would spread that information? Billy: I don't know. The data center industry? Charlie James: Yeah, that could be so, but here's the thing... Billy: I think that AI is going to change the way we live—it already has. I think it's going to be the number one weapon used in the future, and I also think that if we don't develop some kind of infrastructure, then we're going to be, you know, left in the dirt. Charlie James: Well, if that's the case, then don't you think the Pentagon should be building these data centers? Billy: Well, they're fighting a war right now, ain't they? [laughs] Charlie James: I mean in general. Billy: Well, I'd like that, but I mean sometimes the industry's got to step in. I mean in World War II, we had all those car manufacturers, they stepped up, they built stuff. You know, it wasn't the Pentagon building all those factories, you know, we already had those in place. Charlie James: But let me ask you this. So, you live near a data center, they fire up those gas turbines, and you've got that whining 24/7. Are you so enthusiastic about them then? Maybe—no—no! If you were smelling diesel exhaust 24 hours a day, are you for it then? Billy: Well, let me tell you right now, Charlie, I live next to the Wellford dump with the eternal flame, so I smell crap every day. Charlie James: So now, wait a minute, wait a minute! When you moved there, was the Wellford dump already there? Billy: It was. Charlie James: So you knew what you were getting into. This data center is being forced... You know, it's like moving next to a pig farm and complaining about the smell. These people in Spartanburg, they're having this basically forced on them. Billy: Well, I reckon so, but I mean that's a good point, that's a good point. Charlie James: And there wasn't quite enough transparency in all of this with the data centers. County Council should have been far more transparent. And listen, Billy, I appreciate it, thank you. But here's the thing: we're hearing, and you are going to hear more. There was a data center that they built, and they said, "We are not—we promise you—we are not going to be drawing water from the Colorado River." So everybody's like, "All right, you promise?" "We promise. Pinky promise, we're not going to draw any water from the Colorado River." "Okay, we will approve this if you do not draw water from the Colorado River." Well, guess what's going on right now? They've now filed a lawsuit to allow them to draw water from the Colorado River. I've got story after story of these... They built one data center, and they said, "All right, we're going to fire up these diesel generators, but it's just going to be temporary. Just going to be temporary." I don't say that a year is temporary! These diesel generators have been going for over a year! And the residents are like, "It's driving me nuts! It's driving me crazy!" This is Vineland, New Jersey. I want you to listen to this. Let's see if you can hear it. (Audio clip plays loud mechanical humming/generator noise) That's half a mile away. Half a mile away! (Second audio clip plays with loud ambient fan/generator noise) That's Michigan. It's happening everywhere. Unbelievable, it really is. So, let's go to Eric in Pick ...
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H3 - Discussion on data centers, non-citizen voter concerns, and local healthcare issues from The Charlie James Show on July 21, 2026.
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