WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump announced that the Republican Party would work to eliminate Daylight Saving Time (DST). Donald Trump calling it “inconvenient” and “costly.” Trump’s statement, made via Truth Social, signaled a push to do away with the centuries-old practice, which involves shifting clocks forward in spring and back in fall. The move would align with the interests of many GOP members who believe that the tradition serves little purpose for modern society.
While the practice has a small group of supporters, Trump emphasized that it is burdensome to the nation. “Daylight Saving Time has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t be kept,” he wrote, adding that it creates more problems than it solves. Trump’s comments come at a time when many voters are questioning the necessity of DST, citing inconvenience and disruptions to daily routines, as well as an unnecessary economic cost to businesses and individuals.
Notably, figures such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Trump recently appointed to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, have echoed the push for abolishing DST. Musk and Ramaswamy have previously voiced their support for such a change, with Musk arguing that a permanent time standard could eliminate the disorienting clock shifts. They agree that eliminating DST would require congressional approval, but hope for a concerted push from the Trump administration to drive the change.
This semiannual clock change tradition, which has existed for over a century, has faced increasing opposition in recent years. Studies show that many Americans experience negative effects, including disrupted sleep patterns and productivity losses, as a result of shifting their clocks twice a year. Moreover, polling data suggests that a growing portion of the population no longer supports the biannual ritual of “falling back” or “springing forward.” For many, the clock change is seen as an outdated concept that no longer serves its initial purpose of conserving energy, especially with the advent of modern technology.
Under current proposals, a permanent standard time could be adopted, meaning the clocks would stay as they are during the winter months, resulting in earlier sunrises and sunsets. This would favor those advocating for consistent daily schedules year-round and is believed by some medical professionals to align more naturally with people’s circadian rhythms. This change has garnered support from prominent medical groups who argue that a stable time system could promote better public health and wellbeing.
Trump’s proposal has gained momentum within his incoming administration, with strong backing from key members of the Republican Senate caucus. The idea of eliminating DST isn’t new, but the recent push brings it into focus as a significant issue for the Trump administration. Should this proposal pass, it would have sweeping consequences for millions of people across the U.S., impacting daily routines, energy consumption, and even the ways businesses and schools operate.
Though the proposed change would allow for earlier sunrises in the spring and fall, it would likely result in later sunsets, leaving evenings darker. Some groups may find this adjustment challenging, but proponents say that permanent standard time offers a more consistent and less disruptive approach to timekeeping. The future of Daylight Saving Time remains uncertain, but if this effort succeeds, it could mark a significant shift in American timekeeping policy.
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