The question of whether the majority of Americans voted against Donald Trump is not just a matter of opinion—it’s a matter of numbers, context, and how the U.S. electoral system works.
In both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Trump was a central figure of political debate, and understanding the public vote in each year sheds light on how American democracy operates.
2016: Lost the Popular Vote, Won the Presidency
In 2016, Donald Trump won the presidency by securing 304 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton’s 227, crossing the 270-vote threshold needed for victory. However, in terms of the popular vote, more Americans voted for Clinton:
- Hillary Clinton: 65.8 million votes (48.2%)
- Donald Trump: 62.9 million votes (46.1%)
This means that nearly 3 million more Americans voted against Trump than for him. His win was made possible by winning key swing states by narrow margins, highlighting how the Electoral College can produce outcomes that don’t align with the national popular vote.
2020: Both Popular and Electoral Vote Loss
In the 2020 election, Trump faced off against former Vice President Joe Biden. This time, he lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College:
- Joe Biden: 81.3 million votes (51.3%)
- Donald Trump: 74.2 million votes (46.8%)
With a margin of over 7 million votes, a clear majority of American voters chose not to re-elect Trump. Biden also secured 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232.
What Does This Mean?
So, when people say “the majority of the American people voted against Donald Trump,” they’re referring to the fact that:
- In both 2016 and 2020, Trump did not win a majority of the popular vote.
- In 2020, he also lost the Electoral College, making the statement entirely accurate.
This raises ongoing debates about the fairness and relevance of the Electoral College in representing the will of the people, especially when a candidate can win the presidency despite receiving fewer overall votes.
Conclusion
Yes, the majority of the American people voted against Donald Trump in both presidential elections he contested. In 2016, despite losing the popular vote, he won the presidency. In 2020, the loss was more decisive, both in electoral and popular vote terms. These outcomes reflect not just public opinion but also the complexities of the American electoral system.