What time should it be? Elon Musk asks the internet

Elon Musk is once again at the center of a nationwide debate, this time asking Americans to decide whether clocks should permanently stay forward or back if daylight saving time is abolished.

Public Weighs In on Time Change

The billionaire, a vocal critic of the twice-yearly clock shifts, launched a poll on X, asking: “If daylight savings time change is canceled, do you prefer an hour earlier or an hour later?” Over 1.1 million users responded within 13 hours.

Majority Prefers Brighter Evenings

The results so far show that 58% favor keeping clocks forward, ensuring longer daylight in the evenings. Supporters argue it boosts productivity, outdoor activities, and energy levels. Detractors insist standard time is more natural, with one user arguing, “You can’t cut off the bottom of a blanket and sew it to the top to make it longer.”

Trump’s Push to End Time Changes

Musk’s poll follows Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to end daylight saving time, calling it “inconvenient and costly.” His son, Donald Trump Jr., immediately backed Musk’s push, saying, “100 percent! Leave it daylight savings time always.”

States and Congress Split on the Issue

Some states, including Maine, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, are advocating for permanent daylight saving time, while others, like California and New Jersey, want to keep standard time. Congress has debated the issue for years, with Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, calling the biannual clock change an unnecessary disruption.

Will Musk’s Influence Lead to Change?

With Musk’s growing sway in government and Trump’s backing, the push to end daylight saving time may gain momentum. Whether lawmakers will act on the public response remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—America is divided on how to set its clocks for good.