Strong public backlash against the massive Stratos AI data center proposed by Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has driven the market-implied odds heavily toward “No.” Local residents and officials raised urgent concerns over water consumption near the stressed Great Salt Lake, energy demands, and land use after the roughly 40,000-acre project received initial approvals in May 2026. Political fallout followed quickly, with several supportive lawmakers losing primaries, prompting O’Leary to agree in June to slash the footprint by about 75 percent, add wildlife buffers, and commit water resources. Lawsuits from Box Elder County residents are now pending, while the project remains in the permitting stage with no active construction or final approvals reported as of early August. These mounting regulatory, legal, and community hurdles make groundbreaking before year-end 2026 appear increasingly improbable to traders.