Donald Trump, known for his bold opinions, has entered the daylight saving time (DST) debate. Recently, he announced on Truth Social that he supports eliminating DST, describing it as “inconvenient” and “very costly.” He declared with his characteristic enthusiasm, “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency but shouldn’t!”
This issue is one that Americans might rally behind. The twice-yearly ritual of changing clocks and losing sleep has been a source of frustration for decades. Trump’s stance could potentially unite people across party lines over this timekeeping matter.
In support of this change, Senator Marco Rubio, who Trump considered for Secretary of State and a long-time critic of DST, has been advocating for the Sunshine Protection Act. This bill aims to make DST permanent. Rubio hasn’t held back in his criticism, calling the practice “stupid.” A 2021 AP-NORC survey supports his view, showing that 75% of Americans are tired of adjusting their clocks. The Senate passed Rubio’s bill unanimously in 2022—a rare moment of agreement in modern politics—but progress stalled in the House.
DST was introduced over a century ago during World War I to save energy when electricity usage was closely linked to daylight hours. However, critics argue that any benefits have long since faded away. They point out that disruptions to sleep patterns and productivity outweigh any remaining advantages. States like Arizona and Hawaii have opted out of DST and seem to manage just fine without it.
#NEW: President-elect Trump announces plans to end daylight saving time. pic.twitter.com/Xy3tntbyrC
— Valuetainment Media (@ValuetainmentTV) December 13, 2024
Trump isn’t alone in this endeavor; notable figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are also vocal opponents of DST. Musk labeled it as “annoying,” while Ramaswamy called it “inefficient & easy to change.” Their involvement could bring more attention to the issue—after all, having some Silicon Valley influence might help move Congress towards updating outdated practices.
While debates continue over taxes and healthcare among other contentious issues, reforming DST stands out as something many can agree on. With Trump’s endorsement giving new momentum and Rubio leading the charge, there’s hope this effort might finally succeed in ending the clock-changing tradition.
If nothing else comes from this debate, it’s a welcome break from typical political noise. Whether you’re conservative or liberal—or somewhere in between—most can agree: fiddling with clocks is pointless. Let’s hope this push doesn’t stall like others before it; maybe it’s finally time for daylight saving time to become history.