President Trump renewed his push Friday to make daylight saving time permanent, just weeks after downplaying the issue by saying the country seemed too divided for any real action.
Taking to Truth Social, the president urged Congress to act: “The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day. Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!”
While Congress has repeatedly seen bills introduced over the years to end the biannual clock changes, none have successfully passed both chambers. Trump’s renewed interest could add momentum, especially among his supporters, though the matter remains politically tricky.
Advocates of making daylight saving time permanent argue it offers Americans more usable daylight in the evening. They say it encourages outdoor activity, boosts health, and supports industries like golf, which benefit from longer daylight hours. Golfers, golf course owners, and even some retail businesses have long supported the idea, claiming it’s good for the economy and for people’s quality of life.
But the opposition is just as vocal. Critics point out that darker mornings would mean millions of children heading to school or waiting for buses before the sun comes up. Others argue that changing the time structure could disrupt routines, health patterns, and even safety for those commuting early in the day.
Trump himself had previously suggested it might not be worth the political energy, telling reporters last month, “It’s a 50/50 issue, and if something is a 50/50 issue, it’s hard to get excited about it. It’s very even. And usually I find when that’s the case, what else do we have to do?”
Despite the debate, daylight saving time has been a fixture of American life for decades. While it was first introduced by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 as a wartime measure, the current format has been broadly in place since the 1960s. Yet every year, the ritual of springing forward and falling back continues to stir public frustration.
Trump’s new comments signal he might be shifting toward making it a more serious part of his agenda especially if he senses strong public support. Whether Congress will finally move on the matter remains uncertain, but Trump is clearly trying to rally the momentum once again.