Trump’s Plan to End Daylight Saving Time: Who Benefits and Who Doesn’t

Donald Trump has pledged to end daylight saving time, a practice that has been in place for over a century. While some argue that daylight saving time is inconvenient and costly, others believe it has economic benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the potential winners and losers:

What is Daylight Savings Time?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summer months by one hour so that people can make the most of the sunlight during their waking hours ¹. The clocks “spring forward” in the spring, typically in March or April, and “fall back” in the fall, usually in September or October.

The idea behind DST is to make better use of natural daylight during the summer months when the days are longer. By moving the clock forward, people can enjoy more daylight in the evening and use less artificial lighting, which can help reduce energy consumption.

However, not everyone observes DST, and the start and end dates can vary depending on the country, region, or even city. Some places near the equator, for instance, don’t need to observe DST because the amount of daylight throughout the year remains relatively consistent.

It’s worth noting that the effectiveness of DST in conserving energy and promoting energy efficiency is still debated. While some argue that DST can lead to significant energy savings, others claim that the actual impact is minimal.

Winners

• Tourism: More afternoon and evening daylight could lead to increased tourism, with visitors staying longer at attractions and monuments.
• Retail: Convenience retailers may see increased spending as customers take advantage of longer evenings.
• The Stock Market: Historically, the S&P 500 has performed better during daylight saving time, with an average gain of 7.5% from 2007 to 2022.

Losers

• Your Health: Medical groups argue that standard time better aligns with our natural circadian rhythm, and that daylight saving time is linked to increased heart attacks, strokes, and other health issues.
• Morning Commuters: A switch to permanent daylight saving time could lead to darker mornings, making commutes more difficult, especially for those at the western edge of large time zones.

States That Already Opt Out of Daylight Saving Time

• Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time)
• Hawaii
• American Samoa
• Guam
• The Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• The United States Virgin Islands

History of Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time was first introduced during World War I as an energy-saving measure. The concept was revived during World War II, and the Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a standardized system for daylight saving time across the United States. Since then, there have been several adjustments to the start and end dates of daylight saving time ¹.

View Sources

Fortune: “Trump says he’ll end daylight saving time: Here are the winners and losers if he does” by Greg McKenna, December 17, 2024.

National Geographic: “Daylight Saving Time: Why Do We Need It?

Photo by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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