Fact Check: Trump won by landslide in 2024

The Claim: "Trump won by landslide in 2024"

In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, various sources have reported that Donald Trump achieved a "landslide" victory against his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. This claim has sparked debate regarding the definition of a landslide and the actual margins of victory in both the popular and electoral votes. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim while critically evaluating the reliability of the sources.

What We Know

1. Electoral and Popular Vote Results: According to the official results from the Federal Election Commission, Trump won 312 of the 538 electoral votes and secured approximately 49.9% of the popular vote, leading by a margin of about 2.3 million votes over Harris 23.

2. Analysis of Voting Data: A report from the Medill Journalism School indicates that Trump won 91% of counties classified as "news deserts," which may suggest strong local support in less populated areas 1.

3. Contrasting Perspectives: Some analyses argue that the election was not a landslide. For instance, ABC News reported that Trump won several key swing states by narrow margins, often less than four points, which challenges the characterization of his victory as a landslide 7.

4. Historical Context: Comparisons to past elections indicate that the 2024 election was one of the closest in U.S. history, with only 0.15% of voters determining the outcome, which raises questions about the appropriateness of labeling it a landslide 8.

5. Media Coverage: Various media outlets, including the BBC and The New York Times, reported on the election results, with some headlines emphasizing Trump's popular vote win and others highlighting the narrow margins in key states 45.

Analysis

The claim that Trump won by a landslide in 2024 is contentious and depends heavily on the definitions and metrics used to assess electoral victories.

• Source Credibility: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is a reliable source for official election results 2. However, analyses from media outlets and academic institutions can vary in their interpretations and may reflect biases. For example, the Washington Times, which has a conservative editorial stance, described Trump's victory as a "landslide" without providing detailed context on the margins 10.

• Methodological Concerns: The analysis by Medill Journalism School focuses on specific demographics (news deserts) and may not represent the overall voting landscape 1. While it provides interesting insights, the broader implications of such localized support require further examination.

• Conflicting Claims: The contrasting views from sources like ABC News and The Hill emphasize the narrowness of Trump's victories in swing states, suggesting that labeling the election as a landslide may be misleading 78. These sources provide a more nuanced view that challenges the notion of a decisive win.

• Public Perception and Bias: The framing of Trump's victory as a landslide may resonate with certain political biases, particularly among his supporters. This could influence the interpretation of data and the emphasis placed on specific aspects of the election results.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly False

The claim that Donald Trump won the 2024 election by a landslide is mostly false. While Trump did secure a significant number of electoral votes and a majority of the popular vote, the margins of victory in key states were narrow, and the overall election results were among the closest in U.S. history. The characterization of a "landslide" victory is not supported by the evidence, particularly when considering the small percentage of voters that ultimately determined the outcome.

It is important to note that the definition of a landslide can vary, and interpretations of the election results may be influenced by political biases. The evidence indicates that while Trump had substantial support, the election was highly competitive, which complicates the assertion of a decisive victory.

Limitations in the available evidence include potential biases in reporting and analysis, as well as the varying definitions of what constitutes a landslide. Readers should critically evaluate the information presented and consider multiple perspectives when assessing claims related to electoral outcomes.

Sources

1. In news deserts, Trump won in a landslide | Local News Initiative. Retrieved from Local News Initiative
2. Official 2024 Presidential General Election Results - FEC.gov. Retrieved from FEC.gov
3. Was the 2024 US Election Truly a Landslide Win for ... Retrieved from RSIS
4. Just how big was Donald Trump's election victory? Retrieved from BBC
5. Presidential Election Results: Trump Wins. Retrieved from New York Times
6. 2024 Presidential Election Results. Retrieved from AP News
7. The 2024 presidential election was close, not a landslide. Retrieved from ABC News
8. A landslide? Just 0.15 percent of all voters determined Trump's 2024 ... Retrieved from The Hill
9. The size of Donald Trump's 2024 election victory ... Retrieved from PBS
10. Donald Trump's landslide win resets political landscape - Washington Times. Retrieved from Washington Times