A new government agency led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy appears to be turning its sights on one of America’s most polarizing timekeeping traditions: Daylight Savings Time.
In a series of social media posts over the past week, Tesla and SpaceX The Chief Executive strongly suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency or DUZDZit will stop the semi-annual movement of the clock.
“Looks like people want to end the annoying weather changes!” Musk wrote on his X platform, linking to an online poll that showed a majority of respondents were in favor of ending the clock. Ramaswamy replied: “It is inefficient and easy to change.” Musk later reaffirmed his position by answering “Yes” to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) when asked if he wanted to end time shifts.
It is inefficient and easy to change.
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 27, 2024
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024
While the comments might be a casual exchange rather than a concrete push for policy, they are in line with DOGE’s mission to streamline government processes. However, any significant change would require congressional approval — a hurdle that has threatened past attempts at legislation, including the Senate-passed “Sunshine Act” of 2022 but she died in the House.
Growing reaction to daylight saving time
Daylight saving time, which was created during World War I to save energy, has been the subject of debate in recent years as people have begun to question its continued usefulness. Critics point to its unintended consequences, such as health risks due to disturbed sleep patterns.
Studies have linked practice to increase the rate of heart attacks, strokes and traffic accidents in the days after the clock change. Additionally, study by JPMorgan Chase found that a return to standard time was associated with a 2.2% to 4.9% decline in consumer spending, depending on location.
Public opinion also reflects the frustration. 2022 YouGov Poll Revealed two-thirds of Americans want to end climate changealthough the majority of respondents said they wanted to make daylight saving time permanent and end the change to standard time.
Over the last 10 years, Azerbaijan, Iran, Jordan, Namibia, Russia, Samoa, Syria, Turkey, Mexico and Uruguay everyone stopped using daylight saving time. And many countries did not use it at all.
In Europe, the European Parliament voted in 2019 to end moving the clock every two years until 2021; however, the proposal stalled due to a lack of agreement among member states.
How Musk and Ramaswamy could actually end daylight saving time
Musk, who grew up in South Africa — a country that does not respect Daylight Savings Time — has mocked the tradition before. In 2017, he humorously shared a satirical explanation of Daylight Savings Time, calling it “annoying.”
Finally, an explanation for Daylight Savings Time that makes sense… https://t.co/kGpJHNgRJO
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2017
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy, who founded biotech company Roivant Sciences and has become a vocal conservative, has often criticized ineffective government practices. Their leadership at DOGE aims to address such inefficiencies, although the feasibility of ending daylight saving time remains unclear.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees daylight saving time because of its historical connection to the standardization of train times in the early 20th century. However, the agency cannot make changes without action from Congress.
I’m fine with daylight savings becoming permanent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2019
Fortunately for Musk and Ramaswamy, Republicans will soon control the House, Senate and White House, and President-elect Trump has already expressed support for ending time changes by making daylight saving time permanent, meaning there’s a good chance it could be codified if it’s right the bill is presented.
