Twice a year, millions of people groan as they reset their clocks, losing or gaining an hour in the name of daylight saving time (DST). But in recent years, the question has gotten louder: Do we really need this anymore?
Lately, big names like Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have jumped into the conversation, fueling a debate that’s part science, part politics, and part “Why am I this tired on a Monday?”
So, what’s the deal? Is it time to stop changing our clocks for good? Let’s break it down.
Elon Musk Stirs the Pot
Elon Musk, never one to shy away from an opinion, recently posted a poll on X, asking his 219+ million followers:
“If daylight savings time change is canceled, do you prefer: An hour earlier or An hour later?”
The response was instant. Thousands chimed in, reigniting the debate over whether DST is outdated. Musk’s tweet didn’t take a hard stance, but it was clear: people care about this issue.
If daylight savings time change is canceled, do you prefer
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2025
Trump’s Take: Scrap It
President Donald Trump has been even more direct. In a post on Truth Social, he declared that the Republican Party would push to eliminate daylight saving time, calling the practice “inconvenient” and “very costly to our nation.”
He’s not alone. In 2022, the U.S. Senate actually passed a bill—the Sunshine Protection Act—that would have made daylight saving time permanent. But it never made it through the House. And so, here we are in 2025, still changing our clocks.
Why Do We Even Have Daylight Saving Time?
The idea of shifting our schedules with the seasons isn’t new. Back in 1895, a New Zealand entomologist named George Hudson had an idea that might sound familiar—shifting the clock to make better use of daylight. He pitched a two-hour time change to the Wellington Philosophical Society, hoping it would give people more evening light. His reasoning? More time to collect insects after work! While his idea didn’t take off immediately, it planted the seed for what we now know as daylight saving time.
However, the modern version of DST took hold during World War I to conserve fuel. It stuck around, with tweaks along the way, mainly for energy savings.
But here’s the thing: Studies show DST doesn’t actually save much energy in today’s world. With LED lighting and 24/7 businesses, those extra daylight hours don’t have the impact they once did.
Does DST Mess With Your Health? Science Says Yes.
If you feel off after the time change, you’re not imagining it. Research has linked DST to real health risks:
- Heart Attacks & Strokes: The Monday after the spring time change sees a spike in both.
- More Car Crashes: The disruption in sleep patterns leads to a higher number of accidents.
- Sleep Disruptions: Losing even one hour throws off our circadian rhythms, making people groggier and less productive.
And the effects aren’t just short-term. Some studies suggest that chronic sleep loss (even a little) can contribute to long-term health problems like heart disease and depression.
Is There a Financial Benefit?
DST supporters argue that more evening daylight boosts shopping, dining, and outdoor activities—good news for local businesses. Tourism-heavy states like Florida love the idea of a permanent DST, since people tend to stay out later when the sun is up.
But there’s a flip side. Sleep-deprived workers mean lower productivity, and businesses that rely on early morning hours (like farming and construction) aren’t big fans of darker mornings.
Who Stays on Standard Time?
Not everyone follows DST. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all. And globally, many countries have ditched the practice, including Japan, China, and India.
So why not the U.S.? Well, changing time laws is complicated. States can opt out of DST (like Arizona did), but making daylight saving time permanent requires federal approval.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The debate isn’t going away anytime soon. Some lawmakers are trying to reintroduce the Sunshine Protection Act, while others want to abolish DST entirely. Meanwhile, people like Musk are keeping the conversation alive online.
So, will we still be changing our clocks in 10 years? Maybe not. But for now, come Sunday, March 9, millions of Americans will be groaning, reaching for coffee, and asking, “Wait, did we lose an hour or gain an hour?”
And until something changes, that’s one tradition that’s here to stay.
