Watch CBS News

No, Trump's victory was not the biggest Electoral College win since Reagan

Trump on Electoral College
Reporter asks Trump about Electoral College margin 00:50

President Trump claimed at a White House event Thursday that his victory last November was “the biggest Electoral College win since Ronald Reagan.”

That claim is false.

Trump's exaggerated electoral college statement 01:35

In 2012, President Obama defeated his GOP rival, Mitt Romney, with 332 electoral votes. In 2008, Obama won the election against Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, with 365 electoral votes.

In 1996, President Clinton defeated Republican Bob Dole with 379 votes. In 1992, Clinton won against President George H.W. Bush, the incumbent, with 370 electoral votes. In 1988, Bush won the presidency with 426 votes.

Confronted with the facts by a reporter during the question-and-answer part of the event, Mr. Trump claimed that, “I was given that information...I’ve seen that information around.”

Mr. Trump also claimed, as he has repeatedly, that he was elected with 306 Electoral College votes.

That’s also false.

When Congress certified the tally in early January, the official results were that Mr. Trump won with 304 votes and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won 227 votes. 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.