2016 United States presidential election
Background
The 2016 United States presidential election was the 58th quadrennial American presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The election saw the nomination of Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Primaries and Nominations
The primary process, consisting of both primaries and caucuses, is a significant part of the presidential election process in the United States. It is the method by which the various political parties select their candidates for the general election.
Republican Primaries
The Republican primaries saw a large field of candidates vying for the nomination. Businessman and television personality Donald Trump emerged as the party's nominee after a contentious primary season.
Democratic Primaries
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders were the leading contenders. After a closely fought primary, Clinton secured the nomination.
General Election
The general election campaign was marked by high levels of negative campaigning and was notable for its focus on personal characteristics and issues rather than policy debates. The election was also marked by significant controversies, including the release of the Access Hollywood tape and the ongoing investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State.
Results
Donald Trump won the election, securing 304 electoral votes to Clinton's 227. However, Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes, marking the fifth time in U.S. history that a presidential candidate won the popular vote but lost the election.
Aftermath
The aftermath of the election was marked by widespread protests and a contentious transition period. The election results and the subsequent administration have had a significant impact on American politics and policy.