"The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy," Trump wrote after President Barack Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election. Obama ended up winning the Electoral College and the popular vote.

Earlier that evening, Trump tweeted, "We can't let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!"

He also called the election a "total sham."

"We are not a democracy!" Trump wrote.

>> Read Trump's posts here

A candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote is rare but not unheard of in U.S. elections.

Most recently, Democrat Al Gore lost the 2000 presidential race to Republican George W. Bush, despite receiving more than 500,000 more votes than his opponent.

About the Author

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com