President Trump has recently indicated a reluctance to pursue changes to daylight saving time (DST), calling it a “50/50 issue” after initially pledging to eliminate clock changes. Here’s the latest on the debate:
### Trump’s Shifting Stance
In December 2024, Trump vowed on Truth Social to end DST, calling it “inconvenient and very costly to our Nation” . However, by March 2025, he softened his position, stating it’s “hard to get excited” about the issue due to stark public division. He acknowledged concerns about children commuting in darkness under permanent DST but also noted preferences for evening sunlight .
### Public Opinion Split
Recent polls highlight conflicting preferences:
– want to end biannual clock changes, with (earlier sunrises) and (later sunsets) .
– A found 54% support permanent DST, though health experts warn this could disrupt sleep cycles .
– Historical data shows support for DST plummeted from 73% in 1999 to 40% today, reflecting growing fatigue with the practice .
### Legislative Roadblocks
The , a bipartisan bill to make DST permanent, has stalled repeatedly in Congress despite Senate approval in 2022. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott argue it would benefit businesses like golf courses and reduce energy costs . However, similar efforts failed in the 1970s due to public backlash over dark winter mornings .
### Health and Safety Concerns
Medical groups, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, advocate for permanent , aligning better with natural circadian rhythms. Studies link DST transitions to increased heart attacks, accidents, and sleep disruption . Critics of permanent DST warn it would exacerbate winter darkness during morning commutes .
### Current DST Landscape
Clocks will “spring forward” on March 9, 2025, as most states adhere to the Uniform Time Act. Exceptions include Hawaii, Arizona, and U.S. territories, which follow standard time year-round . While Trump could theoretically direct the Secretary of Transportation to enforce permanent standard time, congressional action is required for permanent DST .
The debate remains gridlocked, with Trump signaling no immediate plans to intervene despite earlier promises. For now, Americans face another year of clock changes—and ongoing political daylight-saving drama.
