Trump blames daylight-saving shift for arriving an hour late to high-profile meeting

Donald Trump claimed that an hour-long tardiness to a high-level meeting resulted from the recent daylight-saving time adjustment, saying he was unaware of the clock change. He used the story to argue that lawmakers should enact permanent daylight-saving time, noting that a large share of the public opposes biannual clock changes. Trump referenced a poll indicating strong dislike for the time shift and suggested benefits for sports, crime prevention, and general convenience.

The White House did not respond directly, instead pointing reporters to a May Truth Social post where Trump praised the House Energy and Commerce Committee's vote to advance the measure. Although the bill passed the House, it has not moved forward in the Senate due to concerns about darker mornings and worker safety. A February 2026 YouGov poll showed 64 % of Americans favor eliminating clock changes, preferring permanent daylight-saving time over standard time.