Trump presses Senate for permanent daylight saving time as evidence complicates his claims

Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans in a Truth Social post on 2 October to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, saying permanent daylight saving time would bring wide-ranging health, safety and economic benefits. The House did pass the bill on 14 July, by 308 votes to 117. But ending twice-yearly clock changes does not, by itself, make the case for keeping daylight saving time year-round: permanent standard time would end the changes too. [1] [2] [7]

Daylight saving time already applies for 238 days, or about 65% of the year, under the published rules. The House bill would change the arrangement chiefly during months now spent on standard time, moving an hour of daylight by the clock from winter mornings to evenings. It would not create more daylight. Areas already exempt from daylight saving time could retain their standard-time arrangements. [2] [4]

Trump said studies had shown “conclusively” that his preferred change would help reduce robbery, murder, crashes and cardiac problems, while saving energy. The findings are less uniform. A 2026 review of 157 studies reported increased heart-attack risk after the spring clock change and possible benefits from daylight saving time in summer, but found far fewer studies comparing the effects of living under different time regimes. A US study estimated fewer robberies around the spring change, but found no statistically significant reduction in murder. An Indiana study found higher residential electricity use during daylight saving time, while also describing an earlier government estimate of savings from extending it. Those findings concern different places and periods, not the full effects of permanent daylight saving time through winter. [8] [9] [10]

Trump’s assertion that nobody wants to keep changing clocks also goes further than the polling. In February, YouGov found 64% wanted the changes eliminated, while 16% did not and 21% were unsure. On a separate question, 52% supported permanent daylight saving time. A Gallup survey in January 2025, using a different question, found 48% preferred permanent standard time and 24% permanent daylight saving time. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine also advocates permanent standard time, citing alignment with body clocks.