Trump Proposes Ending Daylight Saving Time as "Costly Inconvenience"

Trump's recent statement highlights a recurring debate in the U.S. over the merits and drawbacks of daylight saving time (DST).

In a recent post on Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intention to end daylight saving time (DST), labeling it a "very costly" and "inconvenient" practice. He emphasized that although there exists a "small but strong constituency" supporting DST, it is a tradition that should not continue. His comments suggest that the Republican party may push for legislative changes to abolish the practice, which involves shifting clocks forward by one hour in spring and back in autumn.

Daylight saving time is widely adopted, with about a third of the world's countries implementing the practice, particularly in Europe. However, in the U.S., there have been long-standing calls to eliminate it. Advocates for standard time argue that it promotes health benefits by allowing for more morning light, which can enhance sleep cycles during darker evenings. Some detractors of DST also claim that the practice disrupts sleep schedules, contributing to various health issues.

Conversely, proponents of making DST permanent argue that extended daylight in the evenings would not only foster safer conditions for commuters—potentially lowering crime rates—but could also lead to energy conservation and a decrease in traffic-related fatalities. Each faction believes that their vision for managing time changes would ultimately bolster the economy.

Trump's recent proposal is not the first time U.S. lawmakers have considered altering seasonal clock changes. The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by Republican Senator Marco Rubio in 2022, aimed to establish permanent daylight saving time but failed to reach President Joe Biden's desk due to legislative hurdles.

Since its initial introduction during World War I for fuel conservation, DST has been met with mixed reactions among the public and has faced resistance, especially from farmers. Currently, states like Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST changes.

Research conducted by Joan Costa-i-Font from the London School of Economics indicates that DST can have adverse effects on health, including increased fatigue and stress. Costa-i-Font's study estimates that ending DST could boost economic output by approximately €754 (about $792) per person annually.

Notably, several countries, including Mexico and Jordan, have recently abolished DST practices, while others like Turkey and Russia have opted for permanent DST. A Monmouth University poll revealed that about two-thirds of Americans favor the notion of making daylight saving time permanent, showing the debate surrounding this practice remains a significant topic of discussion in U.S. society.