- Question
Why did Americans vote for Donald Trump in the 2016 election?
In 2016, Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton to the American Presidency, winning the election with 48% of the national vote. His victory defied expert opinion and polling forecasts, leaving many to wonder what crucial elements they had missed when predicting its outcome. So, why did Americans vote for Donald Trump in the US election?
Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2016 because they preferred his campaign promises
This position holds that Americans voted for Trump in 2016 because they preferred his promises. It points to his pitch as a businessman who could revive the economy, his defence of First and Second Amendment liberties, and his 'America First' approach to foreign policy and immigration.
Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2016 because they didn't like Hillary Clinton
This position holds that Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2016 mainly because they disliked Hillary Clinton. It argues many ballots were a protest against the Democratic candidate—whose email scandal eroded trust—and that Trump appealed as a break from the political elite.
Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2016 because he spoke to their anxieties
This position holds that Americans voted for Trump in 2016 because he spoke to their anxieties. It argues that he appealed to the working class and to fears over unregulated immigration, mobilising key demographics with the simple, effective rallying cry of 'Make America Great Again'.