2016 United States presidential election — 58th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Donald Trump's Electoral College victory over Hillary Clinton marked one of the largest upsets in U.S. presidential election history, with the winner losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million.
Key Facts
- Electoral College result
- Trump 304, Clinton 227
- Popular vote margin
- Clinton led by 2.87 million votes votes
- Third-party vote (Libertarian)
- Gary Johnson received ~4.5 million votes (3.27%)
- Key swing states won by Trump
- Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin (combined margin <80,000)
- Historic first
- First major-party female presidential nominee (Clinton)
- 5th instance
- Winner lost popular vote; most recent such election as of 2016
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Barack Obama was constitutionally barred from a third term, opening the race. Hillary Clinton secured the Democratic nomination, becoming the first female major-party presidential nominee, while Donald Trump, initially seen as a novelty candidate, rose to defeat established Republican rivals by running a right-wing populist campaign centered on immigration restrictions, trade skepticism, and the slogan 'Make America Great Again.'
On November 8, 2016, Trump and running mate Mike Pence defeated Clinton and Tim Kaine in the general election. Despite trailing in nearly all national and swing-state polls, Trump carried critical Rust Belt states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—by a combined margin of fewer than 80,000 votes, securing a 304–227 Electoral College majority while losing the nationwide popular vote by approximately 2.87 million votes.
Trump's victory shifted the U.S. presidency from Democratic to Republican control for the first time since 2009. Trump became the first president with no prior public service or military experience. The U.S. Intelligence Community subsequently concluded that the Russian government had interfered in the election, triggering extensive investigations and prolonged political controversy over foreign influence in American democracy.
Political Outcome
Republican Donald Trump won the presidency with 304 electoral votes; Democrat Hillary Clinton received 227 electoral votes despite winning the popular vote.
Democratic presidency under Barack Obama
Republican presidency under Donald Trump