Spring Forward: How Daylight Saving Time Affects You Tonight—Plus Trump’s Controversial Stance on Keeping It

President Donald Trump has recently softened his stance on ending daylight saving time. He mentioned that the decision is now a “50-50 issue,” a shift from his earlier comments that labeled the time change as “inconvenient.” This change in tone comes just before the clocks are set to spring forward.

During a discussion in the Oval Office, Trump expressed that while some people enjoy having more daylight later in the day, others prefer more morning light. He noted that parents often don’t want to send their kids to school in the dark. “It’s something I can do, but a lot of people like it one way, and a lot of people like it the other way,” he said.

Trump’s current view suggests he may not push hard to eliminate daylight saving time. Back in December, he had stated that the Republican Party would aim to end it, citing it as costly. Interestingly, any change to daylight saving time would need approval from Congress and the president; it’s not solely up to him.

Currently, the U.S. is in standard time, which will change on Sunday at 2 a.m. Most states will adjust their clocks forward by one hour, marking the start of daylight saving time, which will last until November 2. This means people will get an hour less of sleep, but enjoy longer evenings with daylight.

Elon Musk, a key adviser to Trump, also weighed in on the matter. He recently asked his followers on social media whether they favored daylight saving time or not. In his poll, 58.1% preferred having an hour of light later in the day, while 41.9% wanted it earlier.

Daylight saving time began in the U.S. in 1918 as a way to save energy during World War I. Although it was repealed soon after, it returned nationwide in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act. Supporters argue it provides more daylight for outdoor activities and can lower energy consumption. However, critics point out potential health issues, including an increase in heart problems and accidents. The American Medical Association has advocated for a permanent switch to standard time due to these concerns.

Recent years have seen renewed discussions about daylight saving time, with the Senate even passing the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022. This bill aimed to make daylight saving time permanent, but it never advanced in the House.

As the debate continues, the future of daylight saving time remains uncertain, reflecting a broader conversation about how we manage our time and health in today’s world.

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