Clinton Winning Popular Vote Shows Enthusiasm for Her Campaign - White House

The fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election shows the depth of support for her, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election, which showed a strong level of support for her campaign despite her loss in the Electoral College to Donald Trump, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said in his press briefing on Wednesday.

"Secretary Clinton won the popular vote," Earnest stated. "It does underscore the depth of support and enthusiasm for her message and for her campaign."

Clinton won popular vote, but failed to secure the necessary minimum of 270 Electoral College votes, just like Democratic candidate Al Gore in 2000.

Clinton had 59.6 million votes, which gave her a slight 0.2 percent advantage over the Republican Party nominee Donald Trump and his 59.3 million votes, CNN broadcaster reported Wednesday.

However, Trump triumphed over Clinton as he got 279 Electoral College votes.

In 2000, Gore won the popular vote by 0.5 percent but gained only 266 of the Electoral College votes, whereas his rival, Republican Party candidate George W. Bush prevailed with 271 votes.

A US presidential candidate won the election despite losing the popular vote only on three other occasions, in 1824, 1876 and 1888.