Donald Trump Aims to End Daylight Saving Time in the United States

Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has expressed his intention to end daylight saving time (DST), calling it an outdated and expensive practice for the country. DST, which shifts clocks forward by an hour during part of the year to maximize daylight and conserve energy, has been implemented across most U.S. states since the 1960s but has sparked ongoing debate.

Supporters of DST argue it provides brighter evenings that encourage more outdoor activities and economic benefits during winter months. However, critics highlight the drawbacks, such as disrupted sleep patterns, potential health risks, and the danger of children traveling to school in the dark due to later sunrises.

In March 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to make DST permanent, but the measure stalled in the House of Representatives due to a lack of consensus. Some lawmakers want to keep the current system, while others support either year-round DST or standard time. Although a bipartisan group of senators revived the discussion in 2023, Congress has not held a hearing on the issue in over two years.

This debate reflects broader challenges in reaching national agreement on a system that has divided public opinion for decades.