Public feelings toward AI are rapidly going south, as Americans worry about energy prices, job losses, and harm to children.
Booed commencement speeches, Molotov cocktails thrown at CEO homes and bullets fired at city councilmen’s doors—Americans are rapidly voicing their displeasure with AI. “People just feel like they’re under siege,” Senator Josh Hawley told The Wall Street Journal.
Pollsters say the speed of the public’s sentiment shift from curious to downright hostile is unprecedented. The reasons are plentiful: fear of job replacement, concern over how the technology is affecting our kids and anger over the cost and environmental impact of AI data centers. Local opposition blocked or delayed 48 projects valued at $156 billion last year, according to Data Center Watch. A record 20 more were canceled in the first quarter of 2026.
AI companies are spending hundreds of millions on midterm elections to fight the backlash. OpenAI’s Chris Lehane blames “doomers” and negative media coverage. But there is serious concern that the fastest growing sector is also becoming the fastest growing PR crisis.
Booed commencement speeches, Molotov cocktails thrown at CEO homes and bullets fired at city councilmen’s doors—Americans are rapidly voicing their displeasure with AI. “People just feel like they’re under siege,” Senator Josh Hawley told The Wall Street Journal.
Pollsters say the speed of the public’s sentiment shift from curious to downright hostile is unprecedented. The reasons are plentiful: fear of job replacement, concern over how the technology is affecting our kids and anger over the cost and environmental impact of AI data centers. Local opposition blocked or delayed 48 projects valued at $156 billion last year, according to Data Center Watch. A record 20 more were canceled in the first quarter of 2026.
AI companies are spending hundreds of millions on midterm elections to fight the backlash. OpenAI’s Chris Lehane blames “doomers” and negative media coverage. But there is serious concern that the fastest growing sector is also becoming the fastest growing PR crisis.
${reply?.comment_author}${reply?.eln_tier_label ? `${reply.eln_tier_label}` : ”}
•
${reply?.comment_relative_time}
${reply?.comment_content?.trim()}
`;
}
function createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment) {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
const borderClasses = isLastComment ? ” : ‘tw:border-b tw:border-slate-200’;
const currentUser = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
const currentUserInitials = currentUser
? getInitials(`${currentUser?.firstName ?? ”} ${currentUser?.lastName ?? ”}`)
: ”;
const repliesHTML = replies.length ? `
${replies.map(buildReplyHTML).join(”)}
` : ”;
const replyButtonHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const replyFormHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const commentDiv = `
${comment?.comment_author}${comment?.eln_tier_label ? “ : ”}
•
${comment?.comment_relative_time}
${comment?.comment_content?.trim()}
${replyButtonHTML}
${repliesHTML}
${replyFormHTML}
`;
commentListDiv.innerHTML += commentDiv;
}
function displayComments() {
// Empty out the comment list container before refreshing comments.
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
commentListDiv.innerHTML = ”;
const comments = state?.comments ?? [];
if (!comments.length) {
return;
}
// Build a threaded structure: separate top-level from replies.
const repliesByParent = {};
const topLevelComments = [];
comments.forEach(comment => {
if (comment.comment_parent === 0) {
topLevelComments.push(comment);
} else {
const parentId = comment.comment_parent;
if (!repliesByParent[parentId]) {
repliesByParent[parentId] = [];
}
repliesByParent[parentId].push(comment);
}
});
// Apply top-level sort order. Server returns DESC; reverse for oldest-first.
if (state.sortOrder === ‘oldest’) {
topLevelComments.reverse();
}
// Replies always show oldest first within a thread (server returns DESC, so reverse).
Object.keys(repliesByParent).forEach(parentId => {
repliesByParent[parentId].reverse();
});
topLevelComments.forEach((comment, index) => {
const isLastComment = index === topLevelComments.length – 1;
const replies = repliesByParent[comment.comment_ID] ?? [];
createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment);
});
createCommentAvatars();
}
function updateCommentCount() {
const countDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.COMMENT_COUNT);
const sortControls = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_CONTROLS);
if (!countDiv) {
return;
}
const count = state?.comments?.length ?? 0;
// Do not display if there are no comments.
if (count === 0) {
return;
}
countDiv.innerHTML = `${count} Comment${count > 1 ? ‘s’ : ”}`;
if (sortControls) {
sortControls.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
sortControls.classList.add(‘tw:flex’);
}
}
function displayLoader(show) {
const loader = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_LOADER);
const text = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_TEXT);
if (!loader || !text) {
return;
}
// Show or hide the loader.
if (show) {
loader.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
} else {
loader.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
}
}
function displayError(error) {
const errorDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.ERROR);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
if (error) {
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent = `Comment submission error: ${error}`;
} else {
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent=””;
}
}
function clearCommentInput() {
const commentField = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!commentField) {
return;
}
commentField.value=””;
}
function updateComments(comments = []) {
state.comments = comments;
displayComments();
updateCommentCount();
}
function runCommentProcess(type) {
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
// Hide errors, show loader.
displayError();
displayLoader(true);
}
const data = {
type,
postId: 430140,
};
// Get a fresh nonce and either fetch comments or post comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
const nonce = response?.data?.nonce;
// Get comments.
if (type === ‘getComments’) {
getComments(nonce);
return;
}
// Post comment.
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
postComment(nonce);
}
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(`Error running comment process ${type}: `, e);
});
}
function getComments(nonce) {
const data = {
nonce,
postId: 430140,
};
// Fetch comments.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comments`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
updateComments(response?.data?.comments);
displayLoader(false);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, e);
});
}
function postComment(nonce) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
console.error(‘Error posting comment: Unauthorized. Submission aborted.’);
return;
}
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: comment.value,
commentParent: 0,
postId: 430140,
uid: user?.uid,
};
// Post the comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(response?.data?.message, true);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
// Handle success.
clearCommentInput();
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(e);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, e);
});
}
function toggleReplyForm(commentId) {
// Close any other open reply forms.
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ep-reply-form’).forEach(function(form) {
if (form.dataset.parentId !== String(commentId)) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
});
// Toggle the targeted reply form.
const targetForm = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + commentId + ‘”]’);
if (targetForm) {
targetForm.classList.toggle(‘tw:hidden’);
if (!targetForm.classList.contains(‘tw:hidden’)) {
targetForm.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’)?.focus();
}
}
}
function setReplyLoading(formEl, isLoading) {
const btn = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
const btnText = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-button-text’);
if (!btn || !btnText) {
return;
}
if (isLoading) {
btnText.textContent=”Posting…”;
btn.disabled = true;
} else {
btnText.textContent=”Post Reply”;
btn.disabled = false;
}
}
function displayReplyError(formEl, error) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv || !error) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=”Reply error: ” + error;
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
}
function clearReplyError(formEl) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=””;
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
}
function postReply(nonce, parentId, replyText, formEl) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: replyText,
commentParent: parentId,
postId: 430140,
uid: user?.uid,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
if (!response.success) {
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’).value=””;
formEl.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function submitReply(parentId, formEl) {
const input = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’);
if (!input || !input.value.trim()) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
setReplyLoading(formEl, true);
clearReplyError(formEl);
const data = {
type: ‘postComment’,
postId: 430140,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
if (!response.success) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
postReply(response?.data?.nonce, parseInt(parentId, 10), input.value.trim(), formEl);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce for reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function setupCommentListDelegation() {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
commentListDiv.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
// Reply button: toggle the inline reply form.
const replyButton = e.target.closest(‘.’ + PublicCommentSelectors.REPLY_BUTTON);
if (replyButton) {
const commentId = replyButton.dataset.commentId;
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
toggleReplyForm(commentId);
return;
}
// Reply cancel: hide the reply form.
const replyCancel = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-cancel’);
if (replyCancel) {
const parentId = replyCancel.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
return;
}
// Reply submit: post the reply.
const replySubmit = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
if (replySubmit) {
const parentId = replySubmit.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
submitReply(parentId, form);
}
}
});
}
function setupUserAvatar() {
const usernameDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USERNAME);
const userAvatar = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USER_AVATAR);
if (!usernameDiv || !userAvatar) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
return;
}
const fullName = `${user?.firstName ?? ”} ${user?.lastName ?? ”}`;
usernameDiv.innerHTML = fullName;
userAvatar.innerHTML = getInitials(fullName);
}
function openLoginModal() {
window?.tp?.pianoId?.show({ displayMode: ‘modal’, screen: ‘login’ });
}
function setupCommentSubmitButton() {
const submitButton = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SUBMIT);
if (!submitButton || state.submitCommentButtonRegistered) {
return;
}
// Register a single click handler that checks auth state at click time.
submitButton.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
runCommentProcess(‘postComment’);
});
state.submitCommentButtonRegistered = true;
}
function setSortOrder(order) {
state.sortOrder = order;
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn && oldestBtn) {
const activeClasses = [‘tw:font-bold’, ‘tw:text-blue-800’];
const inactiveClasses = [‘tw:font-normal’, ‘tw:text-slate-500’];
if (order === ‘newest’) {
newestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
} else {
oldestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
}
}
displayComments();
}
function setupSortControls() {
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn) {
newestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘newest’);
});
}
if (oldestBtn) {
oldestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘oldest’);
});
}
}
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
listenForPianoLogin();
setupCommentSubmitButton();
setupCommentListDelegation();
setupSortControls();
});






