Trump vows to end ‘very costly’ daylight saving time
US President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to end daylight saving time (DST), arguing that it is “inconvenient” and “very costly” to Americans.
DST is the practice of moving the clock ahead by one hour in the spring and back an hour in the autumn to make better use of natural daylight.
It is observed in one third of the world’s countries, according to Pew Research Centre, including the majority of Europe.
Some in the US, however, have long advocated to end the practice, arguing that doing so would lead to brighter afternoons and more economic activity.
In a post on his platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump said DST had “a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t”.
He said his Republican party would work to end it.
It is not the first attempt to alter the practice of changing clocks seasonally in the US.
In 2022, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed a bill that would have called for the US to move to daylight saving time permanently to make use of brighter evenings, especially for those commuting from work or school.
But The Sunshine Protection Act, which was introduced by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, never made it to President Joe Biden’s desk.
Rubio, who has since been picked by Trump for the role of secretary of state under his incoming administration, said at the time that studies had shown a permanent DST could benefit the economy.