US President-elect Donald Trump Wants to End Daylight Savings Time: Here’s Why

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to end daylight saving time (DST), citing its inconvenience and high costs for Americans. Trump made the statement on his platform, Truth Social, declaring that while DST has a “small but strong constituency,” it is unnecessary, and the Republican party would take steps to eliminate it.

What is Daylight SavingsUS President-elect Donald Trump Wants to End Daylight Saving Time: Here’s Why Time (DST)?

Daylight saving time is the practice of moving clocks forward by one hour in the spring and back an hour in the autumn to optimize natural daylight. It is currently observed in around one-third of the world’s countries, including most of Europe and the United States.

The US originally introduced DST in 1918 during World War I to conserve fuel. It was unpopular among farmers and repealed after the war. However, DST returned during World War II and became permanent under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, allowing states to opt out.

At present, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST.

Why End Daylight Savings Time? The Debate

There is significant debate surrounding DST, with two main camps offering contrasting arguments:

Arguments Against DST:

1. Health Concerns: Opponents argue that DST disrupts natural sleep cycles, leading to increased fatigue, stress, and mental health issues.
   • Research by Prof. Joan Costa-i-Font from the London School of Economics found that DST negatively affects sleep quality and physical health.
2. Economic Costs: Costa-i-Font’s study estimates that eliminating DST would increase economic output by €754 ($792) per person annually due to improved productivity.
3. Disrupted Schedules: Many find the biannual clock changes disorienting, particularly when adjusting to darker mornings or evenings.

Arguments for Permanent DST:

1. Brighter Evenings: Supporters believe longer daylight hours in the evening benefit commuters, reduce crime, and prevent road accidents.
2. Energy Savings: DST was originally designed to conserve energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting in the evenings.
3. Economic Benefits: Advocates claim that brighter evenings encourage people to spend more time outdoors, boosting the economy through increased leisure and retail activities.

Trump’s Proposal and Past Legislative Efforts

Trump’s stance on DST aligns with earlier efforts to reform the time system in the US.

• In 2022, the Sunshine Protection Act—introduced by Republican Senator Marco Rubio—aimed to make DST permanent. The bill passed the Senate but stalled in Congress and never reached President Joe Biden.
• Notably, Rubio has been selected as Trump’s secretary of state under the incoming administration, potentially paving the way for renewed discussions on the issue.

Global Trends: Who Has Ended Daylight Savings Time?

Several countries have already scrapped DST or implemented permanent time changes:

• Mexico eliminated DST in 2022, except for regions near the US border where it remains for economic reasons.
• Jordan also ended DST in 2022.
• Turkey and Russia adopted permanent DST within the last decade.

Public Opinion in the US

Surveys show strong public support for reforming DST:

• A Monmouth University Poll found that approximately two-thirds of Americans favor making DST permanent.
• However, there remains a divide on whether to eliminate DST entirely or retain it permanently.

Conclusion: What’s Next for DST in the US?

Trump’s push to end daylight savings time marks a renewed effort to address the long-debated tradition. With support from both public opinion and earlier legislative attempts, the conversation around DST reform is likely to gain momentum in the coming years.

As Trump and his administration take office, whether the US will eliminate or reform DST remains to be seen. For now, the debate continues over the health, economic, and social impacts of this timeworn practice.