Image Source: The Guardian
Daylight savings has become the center of an unusual political clash after Donald Trump urged Americans to contact Republican Senator Tom Cotton and support legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.
Trump appeared to share what was described as Cotton’s personal cellphone number in a social media post on Saturday. The president accused the Arkansas senator of blocking the proposal and called on residents of the state to pressure him to support the measure.
“For some reason, Tom is stopping the Bill,” Trump wrote, arguing that permanent daylight saving time would offer Americans more daylight during the hours when they are most active. He also pointed to professional golfers, saying the change would give them more time on the course.
Trump’s explosive push for permanent daylight savings
The dispute centers on the Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the House in July but faces significant opposition in the Senate. The legislation would move the United States to permanent daylight saving time, eliminating the twice-yearly clock change observed in most states.
Under the proposal, states could still opt out if their legislatures acted before the bill became law. Supporters say the plan would provide longer evenings, reduce disruption caused by changing clocks and make daily schedules easier to manage.
- The House approved the Sunshine Protection Act in July.
- The Senate remains divided over permanent daylight saving time.
- States could have the option to reject the change.
- Critics warn of darker winter mornings for commuters and children.
Trump said the current system creates unnecessary confusion. As he left the White House for a campaign rally in Ohio, he complained about people being late for dinners, meetings and other commitments after clocks are moved forward or backward.
“It discombobulates everybody,” Trump said, describing the clock changes as an outdated custom that should end.
Tom Cotton warns of darker winter mornings
Cotton quickly reaffirmed his opposition to the bill. In a social media statement, he said that many Arkansans could face winter sunrises at around 8am or 8.30am if daylight saving time remained in effect throughout the year.
The senator argued that children could be waiting for school buses or walking to school while it was still completely dark. He also cited potential consequences for working Americans who commute early in the morning.
“Arkansans don’t want their kids going to school in the pitch dark, and I’ll always put Arkansas first,” Cotton wrote.
Last year, Cotton told the Senate that permanent daylight saving time could delay sunrise until nearly 9am in Seattle and almost 9.45am in Williston, North Dakota, during the darkest part of winter. He compared the proposal with the United States’ temporary experiment with year-round daylight time in 1974, which was abandoned after widespread public criticism.
The argument reflects the central divide in the daylight savings debate. Supporters prioritize brighter evenings, while opponents focus on morning safety, school schedules and the effects of darkness on winter travel.
Privacy concerns follow the senator’s phone number
The Associated Press called the number included in Trump’s post, but no one answered and the voicemail box was full. The Guardian also attempted to call and received a message saying the wireless customer was unavailable.
Sharing an apparent personal phone number sparked additional concern because of the potential for harassment and unwanted calls. It was not the first time Trump had disclosed a senator’s phone number during a political dispute.
In 2016, while competing for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump released the personal cellphone number of Senator Lindsey Graham after Graham criticized him. Graham later became a close Trump ally before his death in July.
Americans remain divided over clock changes
Public opinion on daylight savings is complicated. A 2025 poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only 12% of US adults favored keeping the current system, which requires most Americans to reset their clocks twice a year.
However, 47% opposed permanent daylight saving time, while 40% were neutral. When forced to choose, many Americans said they preferred retaining extra daylight in the evening rather than moving to permanent standard time.
The United States first adopted daylight saving time as a wartime measure in 1942 during the Second World War. Congress has repeatedly revisited the issue, including a 2022 Senate bill that passed but later stalled in the House.
For now, the latest proposal remains uncertain. Trump’s public pressure may intensify debate among Senate Republicans, but Cotton’s opposition suggests that supporters still face a difficult path before permanent daylight saving time can become federal policy.
Frequently asked questions about daylight savings
What is permanent daylight savings?
Permanent daylight saving time would keep clocks one hour ahead of standard time throughout the year, eliminating the seasonal clock change in spring and fall.
Why does Donald Trump support the proposal?
Trump says permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening light, reduce confusion and prevent disruptions caused by changing clocks twice a year.
Why does Tom Cotton oppose the bill?
Cotton argues that permanent daylight saving time would create dangerously dark winter mornings, especially for schoolchildren, commuters and other early travelers.
Did the Sunshine Protection Act pass Congress?
No. The measure passed the House in July, but it still faces opposition and procedural obstacles in the Senate.
Do all US states observe daylight savings?
No. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time. The proposed legislation would also allow states to opt out under certain conditions.
