U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on his X account his intention to eliminate daylight saving time, calling it “useless and costly”. This practice, in effect in much of the country since the 1960s, involves moving clocks forward one hour during the summer months to take advantage of more sunlight. Trump has expressed that, upon taking office in January 2025, he will push for measures to abolish this time change.
Daylight saving time was implemented with the aim of optimizing the use of natural light and reducing energy consumption. However, it has been the subject of debate for years, with detractors pointing to possible negative health effects, such as sleep disorders and cardiovascular problems. Since 2015, about 30 states have introduced or passed legislation to end the practice, although implementation depends on federal approval.
In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” a bill that sought to make daylight saving time permanent across the country. However, the initiative stalled in the House of Representatives, where no consensus was reached. Some lawmakers argue that maintaining a constant schedule could benefit the economy and public health, while others warn of potential drawbacks, such as morning darkness during the winter.
Trump’s proposal adds a new chapter to this debate, and its implementation will require the collaboration of Congress and consideration of the opinions of various sectors of U.S. society.
