US President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to eliminate Daylight Saving Time (DST), labeling it "very costly" for the nation. Set to assume office in January 2025, Trump emphasized that while DST has a strong but small constituency, it should no longer continue, calling it both inconvenient and unnecessary.

DST, first introduced during World War II as a wartime measure, requires people to adjust their clocks twice a year: once in the spring, when clocks are set forward by one hour, and again in the fall, when they are set back. This practice was intended to maximize daylight during the summer months and conserve energy, but it has long been the subject of debate. The biannual clock changes affect nearly 400 million people across North America, and opinions on its necessity vary.

Trump's stance aligns with some lawmakers, including Republican Senator Rick Scott, who recently voted in favor of discontinuing the practice. However, health experts have expressed concerns, citing the negative effects of clock changes on sleep patterns, with studies linking DST to higher rates of traffic accidents, heart attacks, and strokes.

While the issue remains divisive, some regions, such as Arizona, Hawaii, and US territories like Puerto Rico, already observe permanent standard time, choosing not to participate in the biannual clock changes.

The controversy surrounding DST has spurred numerous efforts to make changes permanent, with the stalled Sunshine Protection Act being one recent example. With growing public support, the future of DST in the US remains uncertain.