President Trump escalated a public dispute with Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Saturday, publishing the senator's personal cell phone number on Truth Social and urging supporters to call him about daylight saving time legislation. The move marks an unusual breach of political decorum, even for a president known for unconventional tactics.
In his initial post, Trump encouraged Arkansans to contact Cotton directly, writing, "Call Tom on his cellphone. Let him know." He attached the senator's number, which was later removed from the platform. The president framed the issue as a "GREAT Bipartisan WIN" for the Senate, referencing the House's passage of the Sunshine Protection Act in July with broad support.
Cotton responded with a brief statement on social media, sidestepping the personal attack but defending his position. "No one likes changing the clock, me included, but Congress has enacted permanent Daylight Savings Time multiple times before and repealed it each time once Americans experienced absurdly late sunrises in the winter," he wrote. "Arkansans don't want their kids going to school in the pitch dark, and I'll always put Arkansas first."
Trump fired back with a series of posts, questioning Cotton's commitment to his state. "If Tom Cotton were putting Arkansas first, he would give them an extra hour of daylight and, more importantly, they wouldn't have to run all over their houses, farms, work places, and everywhere else, twice a year, having to change their Clocks," the president wrote. He added, "That is really putting Arkansas FIRST, and I know, because, unlike Tom, I won that Great State, three times, and by almost 40 points!"
The president also argued that permanent daylight saving time would reduce crime, claiming "CRIMINALS DON'T LIKE WORKING IN THE LIGHT." He recounted a conversation with "a table full of very distinguished people" who told him they "HATE" going home in the dark after the time change, calling it "depressing" and noting it is "a lot more dangerous to be walking home in the dark" in "Crime Ridden Blue States."
Cotton had not responded to Trump's subsequent posts as of Saturday afternoon. The Hill reached out to the senator's office for comment. The clash underscores the ongoing intra-party tensions over the issue, which has divided lawmakers despite its popular appeal. Trump has repeatedly pushed for permanent daylight saving time, and his administration has signaled support for the measure, though it remains stalled in the Senate.
The episode also highlights the president's willingness to use personal pressure tactics, even against members of his own party. Earlier this year, Trump similarly targeted GOP lawmakers on other legislative priorities, including Medicare rebates and AI safety measures, often with mixed results.
Political analysts note that Cotton's resistance may reflect broader concerns about the practical consequences of permanent daylight saving time, particularly in rural states like Arkansas where early-morning darkness could affect schoolchildren and farm workers. The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House but faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it has not yet been brought to a vote.
Trump's decision to publicize Cotton's personal number has drawn criticism from some ethics watchdogs, who argue it crosses a line by encouraging harassment of a lawmaker. However, the president has shown no sign of backing down, and the feud appears likely to continue as both men dig in on a policy dispute that has become a personal battle.
