Trump Aims to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time, Calling It “Costly” for America
In a bold move that could reshape how millions of Americans manage their time, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to eliminate Daylight Saving Time (DST). He described the practice as “very costly” and inconvenient, suggesting that it has a “small but strong constituency” that it “shouldn’t” have. Trump, who is set to take office in January 2025, took to social media platform X to share his views, igniting a fresh debate on the relevance of this long-standing tradition.
Daylight Saving Time, first adopted in the U.S. during World War II, affects nearly 400 million people across North America. The system requires clocks to spring forward one hour in the spring and fall back one hour in the fall, all in an effort to maximize daylight during the summer months. While many have grown accustomed to the twice-a-year clock changes, the practice has faced increasing scrutiny over the years, with many questioning its necessity.
Trump’s announcement comes on the heels of a stalled bipartisan effort known as the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which aimed to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Sponsored by Florida Senator Marco Rubio—who has been nominated by Trump to lead the State Department—the bill garnered support but ultimately fizzled out in Congress. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating, “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary.”
However, the conversation around DST isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Health experts have raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of the clock changes, suggesting that making standard time permanent could be a healthier option. They point to studies linking the time shifts to increased rates of fatal traffic accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and sleep deprivation in the days following the spring forward.
Interestingly, not all states participate in the clock-changing ritual. Arizona and Hawaii have opted out entirely, along with several U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which observe permanent standard time. This raises the question: if some regions can thrive without DST, why can’t the rest of the country?
The tradition of changing clocks has been a part of American, Canadian, and Cuban life for over a century. The concept was initially proposed by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson, who wanted to extend daylight hours for his insect-collecting hobby. Though it took time to gain traction, the idea gained momentum during World War I as countries sought ways to conserve fuel. Germany was the first to adopt DST in 1916, followed by the United States in 1918.
Public opinion appears to be shifting. A YouGov poll conducted in March 2023 revealed that 62% of Americans want to end the practice of changing clocks, although only half of those surveyed support keeping DST as a permanent system. This growing discontent may provide the momentum needed for Trump and his Republican allies to push for legislative changes.
As the debate over Daylight Saving Time continues, one thing is clear: the conversation is far from over. With Trump’s commitment to eliminating DST, Americans may soon find themselves navigating a new timekeeping landscape—one that could bring both challenges and opportunities for a more streamlined approach to managing daylight. Whether this will lead to a significant shift in policy remains to be seen, but for now, the clock is ticking.
