Google is preparing to support a multibillion-dollar data center project in Texas leased to Anthropic as competition for AI infrastructure accelerates.
The project, operated by Nexus Data Centers, could exceed $5 billion in its initial phase, with Google expected to provide construction loans, Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. A consortium of banks is also competing to arrange financing by mid-year, per the report.
According to the report, Anthropic recently signed a lease for the 2,800-acre campus, which forms part of its broader infrastructure tie-up with Google. Construction is already underway, supported by early-stage debt financing from Eagle Point, a publicly traded closed-end investment company.
The site is expected to deliver around 500 megawatts of capacity by late 2026, roughly equivalent to powering 500,000 homes, with potential expansion to 7.7 gigawatts. Its location is near major gas pipelines operated by companies including Enterprise Products Partners, Energy Transfer and Atmos Energy, allowing the project to rely on on-site gas turbines.
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Judge blocks Pentagon ban on Anthropic
On Thursday, a US federal judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic a national security risk and halting government use of its AI tools. Judge Rita Lin granted a preliminary injunction, pausing a directive backed by President Donald Trump that sought to cut off federal use of Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by Anthropic, which argued that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth overstepped his authority by designating the company a supply chain risk. The judge described the government’s actions as “arbitrary” and warned against branding a US company as a threat without clear legal basis.
The dispute followed a breakdown in negotiations between Anthropic and the Pentagon over the military use of its AI. The company resisted allowing its models to be used for lethal autonomous weapons or mass surveillance, leading to a broader standoff with the administration.
In her decision, Lin said the government may have retaliated against Anthropic for its public stance, calling the measures a likely violation of First Amendment protections.
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US military used Anthropic AI in Iran strike
As Cointelegraph reported, US military units reportedly used Anthropic’s Claude AI model during a major airstrike on Iran, even after the ban order by Trump. Military commands, including US Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East, reportedly used the AI model for operational support
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Facts Only
Google is supporting a multibillion-dollar data center project in Texas, operated by Nexus Data Centers.
The initial phase of the project could exceed $5 billion, with Google providing construction loans.
Anthropic has signed a lease for the 2,800-acre campus as part of its infrastructure partnership with Google.
Construction is underway, supported by early-stage debt financing from Eagle Point.
The site is expected to deliver 500 megawatts of capacity by late 2026, with potential expansion to 7.7 gigawatts.
The location is near major gas pipelines, allowing reliance on on-site gas turbines.
A US federal judge temporarily blocked the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic a national security risk.
The judge granted a preliminary injunction, pausing a directive backed by President Donald Trump.
Anthropic filed a lawsuit arguing the Defense Secretary overstepped his authority.
The company resisted allowing its AI models to be used for lethal autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.
US military units reportedly used Anthropic’s Claude AI model during a major airstrike on Iran.
Executive Summary
Google is backing a multibillion-dollar data center project in Texas, operated by Nexus Data Centers, with an initial phase potentially exceeding $5 billion. The project is leased to Anthropic, a leading AI company, as part of a broader infrastructure partnership. Construction is already underway, with early-stage financing provided by Eagle Point. The site, spanning 2,800 acres, is expected to deliver 500 megawatts of capacity by late 2026, with potential expansion to 7.7 gigawatts. Its proximity to major gas pipelines allows reliance on on-site gas turbines for power.
Meanwhile, a US federal judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic a national security risk, halting government use of its AI tools. The ruling followed a lawsuit by Anthropic, which argued that the Defense Secretary overstepped his authority. The dispute stems from Anthropic's resistance to military use of its AI for lethal autonomous weapons or mass surveillance. Despite the ban, US military units reportedly used Anthropic’s Claude AI model during a major airstrike on Iran, highlighting ongoing tensions between the company and the Pentagon.
Full Take
The strongest version of this narrative highlights the accelerating competition for AI infrastructure, with Google and Anthropic investing heavily in data centers to secure a competitive edge. The legal dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon underscores the growing tension between private AI developers and government agencies over the ethical and military use of AI. The judge’s ruling suggests a pushback against arbitrary government actions, framing Anthropic’s stance as a defense of First Amendment protections.
Pattern scan: The narrative could be framed as a clash between corporate autonomy and government control, with potential emotional exploitation around national security concerns. The Pentagon’s attempt to label Anthropic a security risk may reflect a broader pattern of government overreach, while the military’s continued use of Claude AI despite the ban hints at systemic inconsistency. The article does not overtly distort facts but could be seen as highlighting a forced binary between innovation and regulation.
Root cause: The paradigm driving this narrative is the race for AI dominance, where private companies and governments vie for control over technology that could reshape global power structures. Unstated assumptions include the inevitability of AI’s military applications and the tension between profit motives and ethical constraints.
Implications: For human agency, this raises questions about who controls AI development—corporations, governments, or civil society. The costs are borne by those who may face the consequences of unchecked AI deployment, while the benefits accrue to those who dominate the infrastructure. Second-order consequences could include further militarization of AI, erosion of public trust in government oversight, and a potential chilling effect on AI innovation due to regulatory uncertainty.
Bridge questions: What ethical frameworks should govern AI’s military use? How can private companies balance profit motives with societal responsibility? What safeguards are needed to prevent government overreach in labeling AI developers as security risks?
Counterstrike scan: If this were part of a coordinated influence campaign, the playbook might involve framing Anthropic as a victim of government overreach to garner public sympathy while downplaying the military’s continued use of its AI. However, the article presents a balanced account without clear alignment with such a pattern.