Fact Check: Trump is the first major party candidate in 50 years to lose the popular vote twice

Claim Analysis: "Trump is the first major party candidate in 50 years to lose the popular vote twice"

Introduction

The claim that "Trump is the first major party candidate in 50 years to lose the popular vote twice" suggests that Donald Trump is unique among major party presidential candidates in the modern era for having lost the popular vote in two consecutive elections. This assertion raises questions about its accuracy and the historical context surrounding presidential elections in the United States.

What We Know

1. Historical Context: The popular vote in U.S. presidential elections has been a significant aspect since the early 19th century. The first election where the popular vote was a factor was in 1824, but it wasn't until the 1828 election that the popular vote became a standard measure for determining electoral outcomes in most states 13.

2. Trump's Elections: Donald Trump lost the popular vote in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. In 2016, he received approximately 46.1% of the popular vote, while Hillary Clinton garnered about 48.2%, resulting in a loss of around 2.8 million votes 28. In 2020, Joe Biden won the popular vote with approximately 51.3% compared to Trump's 46.8%, marking a loss of over 7 million votes 58.

3. Historical Precedents: Prior to Trump, only a few presidents have lost the popular vote while winning the presidency, including John Quincy Adams (1824), Rutherford B. Hayes (1876), Benjamin Harrison (1888), and George W. Bush (2000). However, none of these candidates lost the popular vote in two consecutive elections 210.

4. Recent Elections: The claim's assertion that Trump is the first major party candidate in 50 years is contextually accurate in that no major party candidate has lost the popular vote in two consecutive elections since the modern electoral system was established. The last major party candidate to lose the popular vote twice was in the 19th century, prior to the 50-year mark mentioned in the claim 49.

Analysis

The sources used to support the claim provide a mix of historical data and contemporary analysis.

• Wikipedia Articles: The Wikipedia pages cited 13410 are generally reliable for historical data, but they should be approached with caution due to the potential for user-generated content and lack of rigorous peer review. However, they do provide a comprehensive overview of the elections and popular vote outcomes.

• AP News: The AP News article 2 is a reputable source known for its journalistic integrity. It provides a clear explanation of the popular vote dynamics in the 2016 election, which supports the claim that Trump lost the popular vote.

• Snopes: The Snopes article 8 is a fact-checking site that aims to clarify misinformation. It confirms that Trump lost the popular vote in both elections, providing a trustworthy reference for this claim.

• NPR and BBC: The NPR 5 and BBC 6 articles offer contemporary insights into Trump's electoral performance, but they focus more on the implications of the elections rather than historical context. They are credible sources but do not directly address the claim about losing the popular vote twice.

• MEAWW: The MEAWW article 9 contains commentary and social media reactions, which may introduce bias and should be considered less reliable for factual claims.

The methodology behind the claim relies on historical electoral data and the definitions of major party candidates. However, the claim could benefit from additional context regarding the implications of losing the popular vote in terms of electoral strategy and voter sentiment.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "Trump is the first major party candidate in 50 years to lose the popular vote twice" is substantiated by historical evidence. Donald Trump indeed lost the popular vote in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, making him the first major party candidate in the modern electoral era to do so consecutively. Historical precedents indicate that while some candidates have lost the popular vote while winning the presidency, none have done so in two consecutive elections since the establishment of the current electoral system.

However, it is important to note that while the claim is accurate, it lacks nuance regarding the broader implications of these electoral outcomes. The dynamics of the electoral college and voter sentiment are complex and can influence interpretations of electoral success beyond mere popular vote counts.

Additionally, the sources used to verify this claim, while generally reliable, do have limitations, particularly in terms of potential biases in interpretation and the nature of user-generated content on platforms like Wikipedia.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the context and implications of electoral outcomes in U.S. presidential history.

Sources

1. List of United States presidential elections in which the winner lost the popular vote. Wikipedia
2. EXPLAINER: They lost the popular vote but won the elections. AP News
3. List of United States presidential elections by popular vote margin. Wikipedia
4. List of unsuccessful major party candidates for President of the United States. Wikipedia
5. Trump gets less than 50% in popular vote, but it's tight. NPR
6. Just how big was Donald Trump’s election victory? BBC
7. 2016 United States presidential election. Wikipedia
8. Trump First Prez To Lose Popular Vote, Get Impeached, Lose Reelection? Snopes
9. Is Donald Trump the only POTUS to lose popular vote twice? MEAWW
10. List of U.S. presidential elections in which the winner lost the popular vote. Britannica