AP – President-elect Donald Trump has recently expressed support for ending daylight saving time (DST) through statements made by key allies in his incoming administration. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are set to advise Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have publicly mused about eliminating the biannual clock changes.
Musk responded affirmatively to a query about ending time changes on X, and Ramaswamy described the practice as “inefficient & easy to change.”
However, it’s unclear how seriously they intend to pursue this change, given that DOGE is an advisory committee without formal policy-making power.
Legislatively, there has been ongoing interest in making daylight saving time permanent. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST year-round, has been reintroduced by Senators Marco Rubio and Ed Markey, with a companion measure in the House by Representative Vern Buchanan. Despite passing the Senate in 2022, it has not moved forward in the House, indicating the legislative process’s complexity and the need for bipartisan support.
Public sentiment and expert opinions are mixed. Some argue for the benefits like more evening daylight, potentially reducing energy use and improving mood, while others highlight health concerns, including disruptions to circadian rhythms and increased risks of heart attacks and car accidents. There is also debate on whether permanent DST or standard time would be preferable, with medical professionals often advocating for standard time aligning better with natural light cycles.
Given these points, Trump’s bid to end daylight saving time would require significant legislative effort and would face a broad spectrum of opinions and interests. The current administration has not taken an official stance on this matter, and any change would need to go through Congress.
