Special Poll
Trump Proposes Ending Daylight Saving Time, Calling It ‘Inconvenient’ and ‘Costly’
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that the Republican Party would work to eliminate daylight saving time, labeling the practice both “inconvenient” and “costly.” His remarks, shared on Truth Social, reflect a stance on an issue that has sparked debate for years.
“The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!” Trump wrote. “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.”
Efforts to reform or eliminate daylight saving time are not new. Lawmakers have introduced multiple bills aimed at making daylight saving time permanent, but such legislation has faced significant hurdles in Congress.
Supporters of permanent daylight saving time argue that it would provide more sunlight in the evening hours, allowing Americans to spend more time outdoors and boosting activities like shopping, dining, and recreation. However, critics point out that this change would lead to darker mornings, potentially putting children at risk as they head to school or wait for buses in the early hours.
Conversely, making standard time permanent would result in brighter mornings throughout the year but shorter evenings, which some say could hinder outdoor activities in the late afternoon and evening.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Trump favors making daylight saving time or standard time the year-round norm. The Hill has reached out to his transition team for clarification on his position.
For older Americans, the discussion may evoke memories of past debates over time changes, including the energy-saving arguments made when daylight saving time was first implemented. Trump’s comments highlight the persistent divide over whether the biannual clock changes serve a meaningful purpose in modern society or if they have outlived their usefulness.
Whatever the outcome, the conversation reflects a growing desire to simplify schedules and improve daily life for all Americans. Whether more sunlight in the evening or earlier in the morning wins out, the move to eliminate the twice-yearly time change could mark a significant shift in how the nation organizes its time.