Donald Trump has recently announced a significant shift in his stance on daylight saving time (DST). In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the Republican Party would work to eliminate DST, calling it “inconvenient and very costly to our Nation”. This marks a stark reversal from his 2019 position when he expressed support for making DST permanent.
Trump’s new position would make standard time, which is currently observed during winter months, permanent throughout the year. This change would result in more morning daylight but earlier sunsets, especially during summer. The proposal has sparked debate, as many Americans dislike the increased darkness associated with standard time.
The rationale behind DST has historically been energy conservation. It was initially adopted during World Wars I and II to save energy by extending daylight into evening hours. However, recent studies have cast doubt on its effectiveness. A 2008 Department of Energy study found that DST saves only about 0.03 percent of annual energy usage. Another study from the University of California-Santa Barbara suggested that DST might actually increase energy costs.
Trump’s change of heart may be influenced by his recent associations with tech billionaire Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Both have vocally opposed the time change, with Musk responding to an X poll showing user dissatisfaction with the practice. Ramaswamy, who is co-chair of Trump’s proposed Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), has also supported abolishing DST.
This issue has seen bipartisan interest in Congress. Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act last year, which aims to make DST permanent. The act received unanimous Senate approval in 2022 but stalled in the House.
The debate over DST is not new. Congress briefly made DST permanent in the 1970s, but public opinion quickly turned against it, primarily due to concerns about children’s safety during dark morning commutes to school.
Trump’s announcement has reignited discussions about the pros and cons of DST. While many Americans express dissatisfaction with the biannual time changes, there’s no clear consensus on whether permanent standard time or permanent DST is preferable.
As the debate continues, it’s worth noting that not all states and territories observe DST. Hawaii, most of Arizona, and several U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean maintain standard time year-round.
Trump’s proposal to eliminate DST adds another item to his extensive Executive Office agenda as he prepares to return to the presidency. The issue of time changes remains contentious, with arguments on both sides regarding energy usage, public safety, and general convenience.
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