The map above shows the result of the 2016 US presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Turnout for the election was 57.30%.
Here are the key details:
| Winner: | Runner-Up: | |
|---|---|---|
| Name: | Donald Trump | Hillary Clinton |
| Political Party: | Republican | Democratic |
| Home state: | New York | New York |
| VP Name: | Mike Pence | Tim Kaine |
| States: Won (Out of 51): | 30 | 21 |
| Electoral College Votes (out of 538): | 304 | 227 |
| Percentage of Popular Vote | 46.09% | 48.20% |
| Total Votes | 62,984,828 | 65,853,514 |
| Margin % | −2.09% | – |
| Margin (votes) | −2,868,686 | – |
Other Parties
| 3rd Place | 4th Place: | |
|---|---|---|
| Name: | Gary Johnson | Jill Stein |
| Political Party | Libertarian | Green |
| Electoral College Votes | 0 | 0 |
| Number of Votes: | 4,489,341 | 1,457,218 |
| Percentage of Popular Vote: | 3.28% | 1.07% |
Key Issues of The 2016 Election
The 2016 U.S. presidential election was highly contentious and centered around several key issues that shaped the campaign and influenced voters’ decisions. Here are the primary issues:
1. Economic Concerns
- Jobs and Trade: Economic anxiety was a major theme, particularly in relation to job losses and the impact of trade agreements like NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership). Donald Trump’s campaign emphasized bringing jobs back to America, renegotiating trade deals, and opposing the TPP.
- Income Inequality: Bernie Sanders, in the Democratic primaries, and later Hillary Clinton, addressed income inequality, advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy, raising the minimum wage, and addressing the power of Wall Street.
2. Immigration
- Immigration was a central issue in the election. Donald Trump proposed building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to curb illegal immigration and called for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration. Immigration policy was a divisive issue, with debates over border security, the status of undocumented immigrants, and refugee policies.
3. Health Care
- The future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was a significant topic. Trump promised to repeal and replace the ACA, arguing that it was failing, while Clinton defended the ACA and proposed expanding it to cover more Americans.
4. National Security and Foreign Policy
- Terrorism and ISIS: The threat of terrorism, particularly from ISIS, was a major concern. Trump took a strong stance on “radical Islamic terrorism” and criticized the Obama administration’s foreign policy. Clinton, as a former Secretary of State, focused on her experience and the need for a measured approach to international relations.
- Russia and Cybersecurity: Allegations of Russian interference in the election through hacking and misinformation campaigns became a major issue, particularly after WikiLeaks released emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton’s campaign chair, John Podesta.
5. Political Corruption and Establishment Politics
- Trump’s campaign capitalized on widespread frustration with Washington, D.C., portraying Clinton as part of the political establishment and accusing her of corruption, especially in relation to her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. This played into broader themes of distrust in government and desire for change.
6. Social Issues
- Supreme Court Appointments: The future composition of the Supreme Court was a critical issue, with the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in early 2016. Voters were keenly aware that the next president would likely influence the court’s direction for decades.
- Race and Policing: Issues of race relations and policing were significant, especially in the context of movements like Black Lives Matter and debates over police conduct and systemic racism.
7. Character and Fitness for Office
- Both candidates’ personal character and fitness for office were central issues. Trump faced allegations of sexual misconduct, a controversial history of business practices, and questions about his temperament. Clinton faced scrutiny over her email scandal, her handling of the Benghazi attack, and general trustworthiness.
Why Did Donald Trump Win?
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election was the result of several key factors that contributed to his success:
1. Appeal to Economic Anxiety and Populism
- Rust Belt States: Trump successfully appealed to working-class voters in key Rust Belt states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, which had traditionally been Democratic strongholds. His message of bringing back jobs, renegotiating trade deals, and opposing globalization resonated with voters who felt left behind by economic changes.
- Populist Messaging: Trump’s populist rhetoric, which emphasized being an outsider to the political establishment, resonated with voters who were frustrated with traditional politicians and felt that the system was rigged against them.
2. Campaign Strategy and Media Coverage
- Effective Use of Media: Trump’s campaign dominated media coverage, often by being controversial or breaking traditional political norms. This resulted in significant free media exposure, keeping him in the public eye and driving his message home.
- Social Media: Trump’s use of social media, particularly Twitter, allowed him to communicate directly with voters, bypassing traditional media and shaping the narrative in real-time.
3. Targeting Key Demographics
- White Working-Class Voters: Trump’s focus on issues like immigration, trade, and manufacturing jobs helped him secure a significant portion of the white working-class vote, particularly in rural and small-town America.
- Turnout Among Key Groups: While Trump energized his base, Hillary Clinton faced challenges with turnout among key Democratic groups, particularly African Americans and younger voters, who turned out in lower numbers than they did for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
4. Clinton’s Challenges
- Email Scandal: Clinton’s use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State became a major issue, leading to an FBI investigation that dominated headlines and fueled perceptions of her being untrustworthy.
- Lack of Enthusiasm: While Clinton had strong support from the Democratic establishment, she struggled to generate the same level of enthusiasm as Obama did. Some voters were also put off by her perceived closeness to Wall Street and the political establishment.
5. Electoral College Strategy
- Winning Key Swing States: Trump’s victory in key swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin was crucial. He won these states by narrow margins, allowing him to secure the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.
- Targeted Campaigning: Trump’s campaign strategically targeted states that were pivotal in the Electoral College, focusing on the needs and concerns of voters in these areas rather than trying to win the national popular vote.
6. Anti-Establishment Sentiment
- Distrust of the Establishment: There was widespread dissatisfaction with the political establishment, which Trump capitalized on by positioning himself as an outsider who would “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C. This message resonated with voters who were fed up with both major parties and looking for change.
7. External Factors
- Russian Interference: U.S. intelligence agencies later concluded that Russia interfered in the election with the intent of helping Trump win, through hacking, the release of Democratic emails, and spreading misinformation. While the direct impact of this on the election result is debated, it contributed to the overall context of the election.
2016 Election Results Map By County
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