Protests erupting across America after Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory made #NotMyPresident a rallying cry for millions who questioned his legitimacy and opposed his presidency.
Immediate Protests
Within hours of Trump’s November 8, 2016 electoral college victory, spontaneous protests erupted in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Seattle. Protesters chanted “Not my president!” and held signs declaring Trump illegitimate.
The hashtag trended for weeks as demonstrations continued. Protesters cited multiple concerns: Trump’s loss of the popular vote by 2.9 million, allegations of Russian interference, FBI Director James Comey’s late email announcement affecting the race, and Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration, women, and minorities.
Legitimacy Questions
The phrase rejected Trump’s presidency on multiple grounds:
- Electoral college vs. popular vote divide
- Ongoing investigations into Russian election interference
- Trump’s history of birtherism against Obama
- Concerns about constitutional conflicts of interest
- His unprecedented refusal to release tax returns
For many, #NotMyPresident signaled that mere election victory didn’t confer moral legitimacy when accompanied by foreign interference questions and norm violations.
Resistance Movement
The hashtag became part of the broader #Resist movement opposing Trump’s administration. It appeared at the 2017 Women’s March, airport protests against the travel ban, and throughout Trump’s presidency.
Critics accused protesters of hypocrisy, noting conservatives’ similar Obama-era rhetoric, while defenders argued Trump’s unique circumstances—popular vote loss, Russia questions, norm-breaking—made the comparison false equivalence.
Political Polarization
#NotMyPresident exemplified deepening political polarization, where election losers increasingly questioned winners’ legitimacy rather than accepting democratic outcomes—a trend that would intensify through 2020.
References: Protest organizers, Twitter trending data, Washington Post, Pew Research Center, political science research