Trump Pledges to Abolish ‘Very Costly’ Daylight Saving Time

US President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to eliminate daylight saving time (DST), asserting that it is both “inconvenient” and “very costly” for Americans. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Mr. Trump stated that DST has “a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t” and indicated that his Republican party would endeavor to terminate it. Daylight saving time is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour in the spring and setting them back an hour in the autumn, a measure designed to optimize the use of natural daylight. According to Pew Research Center, it is observed in approximately one-third of the world’s countries, including most of Europe. However, some individuals in the US have long advocated for ending this established tradition. Those who favor adhering to standard time argue it benefits health, as greater morning light is considered better, facilitating improved sleep cycles on darker evenings. They contend that DST can disrupt sleep schedules. Conversely, others advocate for making DST permanent, positing that brighter evenings, particularly for commuters from work or school, would lead to reduced crime, energy conservation, and even save lives by decreasing road accidents. Both factions claim their preferred option would be more advantageous for the economy. Mr. Trump’s proposal is not the first attempt to modify the biannual practice of seasonal clock changes in the US. Making daylight saving time permanent was the objective of a 2022 bill that successfully passed the Democratic-controlled Senate. However, the Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, never reached President Joe Biden’s desk. Senator Rubio has since been chosen by Mr. Trump for the role of secretary of state in his forthcoming administration. The US first began adjusting its clocks seasonally in 1918 during World War One, in an effort to conserve fuel. This was unpopular with farmers and was repealed after the war. Nevertheless, DST was reinstated during World War Two and was made permanent in 1966, though states retained the option to opt out. Currently, Hawaii and the majority of Arizona do not observe time changes under DST. Research conducted by Joan Costa-i-Font, a professor at the London School of Economics, found that DST has had “detrimental effects on sleep and physical health, and on feelings of fatigue, stress, time stress and mental health”. Professor Costa-i-Font’s study indicated that, in monetary terms, ending DST would result in an increase in economic output of €754 ($792; £627) per person per year. Countries that have discontinued the practice include Mexico in 2022, although DST is still maintained in regions near the US border for economic and logistical reasons. Jordan also ended the practice that year. Other nations, such as Turkey and Russia, have instead implemented a permanent DST over the past decade. A Monmouth University Poll revealed that approximately two-thirds of people in the US wish to make DST permanent. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.