Hacker News Reader

No, it was under half the electorate too (27% of the electorate didn't vote after all).

It was under half of the voters in the election itself as well. He won with a plurality, not a majority.

There's a huge difference between "definitely won the election" and "a massive mandate for sweeping change".

An electorate is only as good as the information it uses to make the choice. Fewer than 10% of Americans both stated they routinely read a newspaper (in print or online) yet still walked into a voting booth in 2024 and voted for Trump.

I’m not saying he shouldn’t have won, we have the system we have, but to then act like he’s got a mandate is unjustifiable.