Trump Backs Permanent Daylight Saving Time—Here’s What It Really Means
President Donald Trump has once again cut through the noise to shine a light—literally—on an issue that affects every American twice a year: the dreaded clock change. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump urged Congress to finally put an end to the practice of springing forward and falling back, calling it “very costly” and “very disruptive.”
It’s not just another social media soundbite. His post coincides with renewed momentum in Congress, where the Senate just held a hearing to debate the issue. For once, Republicans and Democrats actually seemed to agree: it’s time to stop messing with the clocks. The question is—what do we replace it with?
Let’s break down Trump’s reasoning, what Congress is saying, and what it would mean for all of us if the time change gets scrapped for good.
Trump’s Case for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Trump has long had a knack for tapping into what regular Americans are thinking—and this is no exception. His post read: “End these crazy clock changes. Very costly. Very disruptive. People want more daylight at the end of a day.”
He’s not wrong. Studies show that most Americans hate the time change and want to be done with it. And while some politicians are too busy chasing headlines or issuing grandstanding climate declarations, Trump is focused on something people actually notice in their everyday lives—like the microwave clock that hasn’t been correct since last March.
Trump is backing permanent Daylight Saving Time, meaning we’d keep that “extra hour of evening sunshine” all year long. It’s popular with many Americans who enjoy later sunsets, but not everyone is sold on the idea.
Why End the Time Change?
Daylight Saving Time was originally created during World War I as a way to conserve fuel by making better use of daylight hours. But over a century later, the logic has aged about as well as a Blockbuster membership card.
Modern studies show minimal energy savings, and what we’ve gained in convenience (sort of), we may have lost in health, safety, and productivity.
Some of the strongest reasons to end the time change include:
Health risks. Numerous studies show an uptick in heart attacks, strokes, and even car accidents in the days following the spring clock change. Messing with the body’s natural rhythm has real consequences.
Productivity loss. The Monday after “spring forward” is often one of the sleepiest, least productive workdays of the year. No one’s firing on all cylinders after losing an hour of sleep.
Judicial bias. Believe it or not, a University of Washington study found that people sentenced on the Monday after the spring time change received harsher sentences on average. Judges, it turns out, are not immune to sleep deprivation either.
Safety concerns. Dark mornings increase risks for pedestrians, school children, and commuters alike.
Congressional authority over time standards is constitutionally granted, and with bipartisan support growing, lawmakers are seriously weighing whether the benefits of consistency outweigh the drawbacks of a permanent change.
The Senate Hearing: A Rare Moment of Bipartisan Agreement
For the first time in three years, the U.S. Senate held a hearing to address the issue. Lawmakers heard testimony from sleep experts, business groups, and everyday Americans tired of waking up confused about what time it really is.
Advocates for permanent Standard Time, often health experts and educators, argued that it’s the “natural, healthy choice.” They cited research showing it aligns better with our biological clocks, leading to better sleep, improved mental health, and fewer health risks.
Opponents of permanent DST warned of darker mornings—sunrises past 8:00 AM in winter in many parts of the country—which could negatively affect school kids, morning commuters, and mental health.
One of the more lighthearted yet telling moments came from the National Golf Course Owners Association. Their take? More evening daylight means more time on the links, happier golfers, and better business. “We’re in the fun business,” one representative said. Hard to argue with that logic.
Despite the laughs, the debate is real. In 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make DST permanent, but the bill stalled in the House and never got a vote.
The Big Choice: Standard Time or Daylight Saving?
If we’re going to “lock the clock,” which time are we locking it to?
Let’s look at the pros and cons of both.
Permanent Standard Time
Pros:
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Matches natural circadian rhythms, promoting better sleep and overall health
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Safer and brighter mornings, especially for schoolchildren
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Backed by most health experts and sleep researchers
Cons:
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Earlier sunsets in winter and even summer—reducing after-work leisure time
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Potential loss of economic activity tied to evening consumer behavior
Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Pros:
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Longer evenings mean more time for sports, recreation, and economic activity
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Boosts retail, restaurant, and entertainment industries
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May reduce certain crimes that typically occur in darkness
Cons:
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Very late sunrises in winter—after 8:00 AM in many areas
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May impact school schedules and public safety in the mornings
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Long-term effects on sleep cycles are still being studied
Final Thoughts: It’s Time for Common Sense
For a country that can’t agree on much these days, ending the time change might be one of the few things we can rally behind. Whether you’re a morning person or someone who enjoys a long evening walk after dinner, the important thing is consistency. People are tired of adjusting clocks, dragging through foggy Monday mornings, and losing productivity—and patience.
Trump’s push for permanent Daylight Saving Time comes with strong public support and a dose of common sense that Washington could use a lot more of. Whether Congress goes with his preferred option or chooses Standard Time, the bottom line is clear: this is an issue where America is ready to move forward—and stay there.
Now we want to hear from you:
Do you support ending the time change? And if so, which one should we keep—Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time?
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
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h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
Why not keep Standard Time and make the “work day” 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m. – they can start their day later in the winter and earlier in the summer – just change the “office hours” on their stationery based on the season.
“Time waits for no man”