Historic Comeback? How Trump Measures Up Against Past White House Contenders

Trump called it “a political victory that our country has never seen before” and “the greatest political movement of all time.” Vice President-elect J.D. Vance took it even further, calling it “the greatest political comeback in American history.”

This victory solidifies Trump’s place in history, especially after facing challenges following the Capitol riot and being underestimated during his first campaign in 2015-2016. However, other historical figures have also achieved remarkable political comebacks, with one even attempting a similar return over a century ago. Here’s a look at a few notable examples.

Some have joked on social media that Trump was aiming to pull off the “full Grover,” referencing Grover Cleveland, the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th president. Cleveland’s comeback began after winning in 1884 despite scandal and chants at his opponent’s rallies of “Ma, Ma, where’s my Pa?” He lost his re-election bid to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, only to return in 1892 to beat Harrison and reclaim the White House, fulfilling his wife’s prediction that they’d return to find the residence just as they left it.

Another comeback story is Richard Nixon’s, one of the most notorious presidents due to the Watergate scandal, but also a tenacious politician. After serving as vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s, Nixon lost the presidency to John F. Kennedy in 1960, then suffered a painful defeat in the 1962 California gubernatorial race, announcing his retirement from politics. Yet he returned in 1968 to win the presidency and achieved a landslide re-election in 1972 before resigning amid Watergate. Nixon’s persistence secured his name in political history.

Bill Clinton also demonstrated political resilience, overcoming major setbacks twice. Dubbed the “Boy Governor” of Arkansas at just 32, Clinton lost his first re-election bid in 1980. However, he reclaimed the governorship in 1982 and held it into the early 1990s. His second comeback was during the 1992 Democratic primaries, where despite a third-place finish in Iowa and affair allegations, he rebounded after a strong New Hampshire showing, earning the nickname “the comeback kid” and going on to two terms in the White House.

Theodore Roosevelt’s attempt at a comeback in 1912 wasn’t successful, but it remains notable. After serving nearly two terms, Roosevelt left the presidency in 1908, only to grow dissatisfied with his successor, William Howard Taft. Roosevelt ran again in 1912 and was shot on the campaign trail but continued his speech, stating, “It takes more than that to kill a bull moose.” Though he ultimately lost, Roosevelt’s determination became legendary.

Even President Joe Biden shares a comeback story with Trump. Biden first ran for president in 1987, but his campaign faltered due to a plagiarism scandal. After another failed bid in 2008, Biden was passed over in favor of Hillary Clinton in 2016. But in 2020, he finally succeeded after gaining momentum in South Carolina’s primary. After nearly 50 years in Washington, Biden achieved his long-held dream, though he will soon return the office to Trump in January.