Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) took a sharp jab at President Trump on Sunday over the president's decision to publish Sen. Tom Cotton's (R-Ark.) cellphone number in a dispute about permanent daylight saving time, saying Trump can go from zero to a-hole in about three seconds.
Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," Kennedy dismissed the significance of the disagreement, saying, "Every now and then, there are disputes in Congress that have existential significance for the future of Western civilization. Daylight Savings Time is not one of them."
Kennedy, a Republican, described Cotton as a "rock star senator" who is protective of Arkansas's interests, and Trump as a friend who "exists loudly" and can be "tempestuous." He added, "I don't think he should have given out Tom's cell phone number. I don't think that's going to help convince Tom."
The Louisiana senator's comments come after Trump on Saturday posted Cotton's number on Truth Social, urging Arkansans to call their senator and pressure him to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent. The bill passed the House in July with a 308-117 vote, but Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been a vocal opponent.
In his post, Trump wrote, "Tom Cotton, a friend of mine, is holding up a very important Bill. For some reason, Tom is stopping the Bill and, in the Senate, it's very easy to do, it only takes one! It should pass overwhelmingly, in a Bipartisan fashion." He then shared the number, telling Arkansans, "Call Tom on his cellphone. Let him know."
Cotton responded on X, arguing that Congress has tried permanent daylight saving time before and repealed it after Americans experienced "absurdly late sunrises in the winter." He said, "Arkansans don't want their kids going to school in the pitch dark, and I'll always put Arkansas first."
As of Sunday, Cotton had not publicly responded to Trump's posts sharing his number. The standoff highlights a rare public clash between Trump and a Senate Republican, with Kennedy wading in with a mix of humor and criticism.
The episode also underscores the broader tensions in the GOP as Trump continues to exert influence over legislative priorities, even as some senators push back. For more on how the president has been engaging with lawmakers, see Trump's midterm promises and his PAC spending in battleground races.
Kennedy's blunt assessment reflects the informal dynamics within the party, where personal relationships often mix with policy disagreements. His warning to GOP colleagues about focusing on economic issues, as noted in his earlier advice, suggests he sees such distractions as unhelpful.
Whether Trump's tactic will move Cotton remains uncertain. For now, the dispute over timekeeping has become a test of political will, with both sides digging in.
