Trump, Cotton clash over daylight saving time after president posts senator's number
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President Donald Trump escalated a fight with fellow Republican Sen. Tom Cotton on Saturday, publicly posting what appeared to be the Arkansas senator's personal cellphone number and then attacking Cotton again after the senator refused to back down over permanent daylight saving time.
Trump urged Arkansans to call Cotton and pressure him to support the Sunshine Protection Act, which would eliminate the twice-a-year clock change by making daylight saving time permanent.
The number Trump posted had an Arkansas area code. When called Saturday, the voicemail box was full.
Cotton responded Saturday afternoon, saying he also dislikes changing the clocks but opposes permanent daylight saving time because of the effect it would have on winter mornings.
"No one likes changing the clock, me included," Cotton wrote, adding that Arkansans do not want children "going to school in the pitch dark."
Trump quickly responded again, arguing Cotton was not putting Arkansas first and accusing him of holding up what could be a political victory for Republicans. Trump urged Cotton to "take the win" and again argued Americans would prefer more daylight in the afternoon.
The dispute comes after the House overwhelmingly approved the Sunshine Protection Act in July, 308-117. The legislation was then sent to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where it has not received a Senate vote.
Cotton is not alone among Republicans in opposing permanent daylight saving time. Critics point to darker winter mornings and the country's experience with year-round daylight saving time during the 1970s.
Supporters argue permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening sunlight and eliminate the disruption of changing clocks twice each year.
A 2025 national poll found only 12% of U.S. adults favored continuing the current twice-a-year clock changes. When asked about alternatives, more Americans preferred permanent daylight saving time than permanent standard time.
