Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that the Wisconsin State Capitol will soon be history — at least, according to a new plan that would replace the landmark building with a massive OpenAI data center.
The project is reportedly scheduled to begin construction in July 2026, following what Evers described as a $30 million agreement to sell the Capitol property to the artificial intelligence company.
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“As Wisconsin becomes a hub for AI data centers, we thought our capitol should represent that. So, I’ve signed a $30 million deal to sell my capitol building to OpenAI. Holy mackerel folks, this former cheese factory worker is about to be a millionaire!” Evers said.
While the governor framed the proposal as a bold leap into the state’s “future,” he also addressed growing frustration from residents who are concerned about the impact of data centers on infrastructure, utility demands and environmental goals.
“Yes, I know several people are upset that even though I’m supposed to be an environmentalist, I’m supporting a data center which is terrible for the environment. Also, I understand that this data center will cause electrical bills for the people of Madison to increase by over 500%, but I’m retiring so go ******* your ****** and **** you **** too.” Evers said, ending his comments in a rant so profane my editors told me I had to censor it with asterisks which is a Daily Cardinal first.
The plan has sparked rare political unity across party lines, with state legislative leaders criticizing both the legality — and the exclusivity — of the deal.
In a rare display of bipartisanship, State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and State Senate Minority Leader Dianne H. Hesselbein, D-Middleton, blasted Evers. They pointed out that he "probably doesn’t have the authority to sell the capitol building on his own” and if he did, he “should’ve cut us in on the deal.”
Despite the controversy, the publication noted that it’s still unclear whether Evers can actually carry out the sale alone. Officials have not yet confirmed any formal process, approvals or state oversight measures.
Despite extensive research, the Cardinal cannot say for certain if Evers has the power to sell the building himself, but we will update this article when we find out.
As tensions rose, one exchange between a reporter and the governor reportedly escalated beyond typical press-conference chaos.
When a Cardinal reporter asked Evers a series of questions about his ownership of the building, the governors responded saying “Quiet piggy, you look like a burp!” and thrusting his middle finger into the reporter’s face. He has not apologized.
UW-Madison students also reacted quickly. The Student Bathroom-Sticker Coalition — known for placing anti-AI stickers around campus — condemned the plan with a new sticker campaign.
The Student Bathroom-Sticker Coalition, the UW student organization that’s been putting those anti-AI stickers in countless bathrooms across campus, have strongly condemned Ever’s plan with a clever yet smug sticker they’ve slapped to the mirror of the men’s restroom in the basement of Vilas Hall.
And after the sticker gained attention, Evers reportedly responded online with yet another blunt statement.
When word of the sticker got to Evers, he responded with a series of Bluesky posts claiming the sticker is “off the charts ******.”
For now, Wisconsin residents may be left wondering whether they’re watching a historic transformation, a political stunt, or a state government experiment in what happens when AI meets architecture — and nobody reads the fine print.
Originally reported by Dominic Violante in Daily Cardinal.
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