Trump urges Congress to make daylight saving time permanent

Npr - Apr 12th, 2025
Open on Npr

President Trump is advocating for Congress to pass legislation making daylight saving time permanent, aiming to end the biannual clock changes in the U.S. that he describes as costly and inconvenient. This move aligns with previous efforts, such as the Sunshine Protection Act reintroduced by Florida Republicans and passed by the Senate in 2022 but stalled in the House. Trump, who has fluctuated on this stance, now stresses more daylight at the end of the day as a popular preference, while some dissent remains regarding morning light for school children.

The debate over daylight saving time has been ongoing, with figures like Sen. Ted Cruz condemning the practice as outdated in light of modern technology reducing energy costs. Cruz and others argue the clock changes harm health and productivity, while some medical experts suggest permanent standard time might be healthier. The discussion highlights differing opinions on whether permanent daylight saving or standard time would better serve public well-being, with calls from both Republican and Democratic senators to resolve this long-standing issue.

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RATING

8.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing debate over daylight saving time, accurately presenting key facts and legislative efforts. It effectively balances perspectives from political figures and the medical community, although it could include more diverse viewpoints. The use of credible sources and clear language enhances its readability, while the timeliness and public interest of the topic contribute to its relevance. However, the article could improve transparency and engagement by providing more detailed data and interactive elements. Overall, it serves as a reliable and informative piece on a significant issue affecting many Americans.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate and provides verifiable information. It accurately reports President Trump's call for Congress to make daylight saving time permanent, a claim supported by his posts on Truth Social and corroborated by multiple sources. The legislative background regarding the Sunshine Protection Act is correctly detailed, noting its passage in the Senate but stalling in the House. The exemptions from daylight saving time for Hawaii, Arizona, and certain U.S. territories are correctly mentioned, aligning with known facts. However, while the story accurately captures the essence of Trump's shifting stance on the issue, it could benefit from more precise dates or direct quotes to enhance precision. Overall, the article's claims are well-supported and factual.

8
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from both political figures and the medical community. It covers the support for permanent daylight saving time from President Trump and other Republican figures, as well as opposition or concerns from some in the medical community who advocate for permanent standard time. This inclusion of diverse viewpoints helps to avoid bias. However, the article could improve by providing more detailed arguments from those opposed to permanent daylight saving time, particularly from Democratic lawmakers or other stakeholders who might have differing opinions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points. It effectively uses quotes to highlight key opinions and provides a coherent narrative. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of technical terms or concepts, such as the specific health impacts of changing clocks. The language is neutral and accessible, but some sentences could be simplified for better comprehension.

8
Source quality

The article uses credible sources, including direct statements from President Trump and references to legislative actions and hearings. However, it lacks specific attribution to primary sources or direct quotes from the Senate hearing, which could enhance the reliability of the report. The inclusion of expert opinions from the medical community adds depth, but the article would benefit from citing specific studies or data to support these claims. Overall, the sources used are credible, but more detailed attribution could improve the article's authority.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the issue and mentions key figures involved, such as President Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind the claims, such as the specific impacts of daylight saving time on health and economy. The article could improve transparency by including more context about the scientific studies or economic analyses referenced. Additionally, while it mentions Trump's past statements, it could provide more context on how his views have shifted over time.

Sources

  1. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/04/11/congress/trump-wants-to-change-the-time-00286183
  2. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/politics/2025/04/11/president-trump-permanent-daylight-saving-time-
  3. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/weather/2025/04/11/trump-wants-to-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent
  4. https://fortune.com/2025/04/11/trump-daylight-saving-time-congress-economy-clocks-standard/
  5. https://www.kfsk.org/2025/04/12/trump-urges-congress-to-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent/