Trump Releases GOP Senator's Phone Number in Daylight Saving Time Dispute

Former President Donald Trump publicly shared what appeared to be the personal cell phone number of Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, escalating a dispute over permanent daylight saving time. Trump posted on social media, urging Americans, particularly those in Arkansas, to call Cotton and pressure him to support "The Sunshine Protection Act," which would make daylight saving time permanent.

The bill passed the House of Representatives in July but faces opposition in the Senate, with Cotton being one of the most vocal Republican critics. Trump argued that permanent daylight saving time would benefit golfers by providing more daylight in the evenings. He stated that passing the bill would be "appreciated by all."

When The Daily Mail attempted to call the provided number, no one answered and the voicemail box was full. Trump also shared a letter from PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in support of the bill, emphasizing that many "very distinguished people" dislike going home in the dark after the mandatory time change.

Proponents of the bill, including the White House, argue that more daylight during active evening hours would be beneficial. However, detractors, like Sen. Cotton, contend that permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker and potentially more hazardous winter mornings, impacting children waiting for school buses and commuters driving to work.

Cotton reiterated his opposition on social media, stating that Congress has enacted permanent daylight saving time in the past but repealed it due to concerns about late winter sunrises. He emphasized that Arkansans do not want their children going to school in the dark and that he would "always put Arkansas first."

Trump countered that putting Arkansas first would mean giving residents more daylight and eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes. He cited a 2025 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicating that 40% of U.S. adults favor permanent daylight saving time, while only 12% prefer the current system and 47% oppose it.

This tactic of releasing a political opponent's phone number is not new for Trump. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he released the number of Sen. Lindsey Graham after Graham criticized him. Graham later became a close ally of Trump.

Unlike Graham, Trump and Cotton are not known to be close, despite sharing some policy positions. Cotton, a prominent national security voice in the Republican Party, has previously been critical of some of Trump's policy initiatives, including attempts to overhaul sentencing laws and his approach to confirming nominees.