In Dayton, Ohio, former US President Donald Trump intensified a dispute over daylight saving time by sharing what he claimed was the phone number of Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas. Trump encouraged his followers to contact Cotton, who opposes the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation aimed at making daylight saving time permanent and eliminating the biannual clock changes.
Trump argued that most Americans prefer extended afternoon daylight, while Cotton contends that the change would result in darker winter mornings, negatively affecting early risers. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized Cotton for blocking the bill, calling it an important measure. This marked Trump’s second consecutive day addressing Cotton’s resistance to the legislation.
“Nobody wants to waste time adjusting clocks twice a year, and having sunlight in the afternoon is preferable to early morning,” Trump stated. The United States has observed daylight saving time since the 1960s, with clocks scheduled to revert to standard time on November 1 this year.
In a Senate speech last October, Cotton declared his firm opposition to making daylight saving time permanent, warning it would create “a dark and dismal winter for millions.” The bill passed the House of Representatives in July, but faces opposition in the Senate, including from Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, who recently described the bill as “dead as disco” and doubted it would reach a Senate vote under Majority Leader John Thune.
Trump highlighted support for the bill from various groups, including golfers, farmers, tennis players, and hunters. He shared a letter dated October 1 from PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp endorsing the change, emphasizing the need for more afternoon daylight to complete tournaments. Trump, known for spending weekends at his golf clubs, used this to bolster his argument.
This is not the first time Trump has publicized a senator’s phone number to make a political point. During his 2015 presidential campaign, he revealed Senator Lindsey Graham’s number at a rally, labeling Graham an “idiot.” The two later reconciled, with Graham becoming a prominent ally in Congress before his passing.
The internal Republican disagreement unfolds as Trump campaigns for party candidates nationwide, including in Ohio on the day of the phone number post. Senator Cotton is seeking re-election, though his race is not seen as competitive; Trump secured over 64 percent of the Arkansas vote in the 2024 presidential election.
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