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Daylight saving time (DST) is set to begin this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. Clocks across most of the United States will spring forward by one hour, meaning Americans will lose an hour of sleep but gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening. The practice will continue until November 2, when the U.S. returns to standard time (ST). But will daylight saving time continue in the future, or could it be eliminated? President Donald Trump’s recent comments have sparked fresh debate on the issue.
Trump’s Changing Stance on Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump has previously expressed frustration with the biannual clock change, calling it “inconvenient” and costly to the nation. In December, he stated on Truth Social that the Republican Party would push to eliminate daylight saving time. However, in a recent statement on Thursday, Trump called it a “50-50 issue,” showing uncertainty about whether it should continue or be abolished. His latest remarks suggest he may no longer be pushing aggressively for an end to daylight saving time.
Despite Trump's opinions, he alone cannot remove daylight saving time. It would require an act of Congress and approval from the president. While some lawmakers have pushed for change, no bill has passed yet to make daylight saving time permanent or to eliminate it altogether.
What About Elon Musk’s Opinion?
Although tech billionaire and key Trump adviser Elon Musk has not directly expressed his stance, he recently conducted a poll on X (formerly Twitter) asking users their preference if daylight saving time were eliminated. The results showed that 58.1% of respondents preferred an hour later, while 41.9% wanted an hour earlier. This informal poll suggests that public opinion is still divided on whether to keep daylight saving time or switch to a different system.
Why Does Daylight Saving Time Exist?
Daylight saving time was first introduced in 1918 as a wartime policy to extend daylight hours. However, it was soon repealed and left for local governments to decide. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 brought back nationwide daylight saving time, and since then, the U.S. has followed the practice every year.
Supporters of daylight saving time argue that it provides more daylight after work hours, reduces energy consumption, and improves quality of life. On the other hand, critics claim it negatively affects health, increasing the risk of heart problems, car accidents, and mood disorders. The American Medical Association has even recommended a permanent shift to standard time, citing these health concerns.
Could Daylight Saving Time End in the U.S.?
There have been several attempts to change daylight saving time, with the most significant effort occurring in 2022. The Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which aimed to make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the need to switch back to standard time. However, the bill stalled in the House and was never voted on.
As daylight saving time begins again this weekend, the debate over whether it should stay or go continues. With President Trump’s shifting stance and lawmakers divided, it remains unclear whether daylight saving time will be eliminated or remain a part of American life.
Until then, Americans will have to keep adjusting their clocks twice a year.
