Trump lost the election in some ways similarly to how he won it in 2016. The close states.

In 2016, 11 states were decided by 5 points or less. Trump won 6 of them and Clinton won 5. But Trump won the most populous states, winning 101 electoral votes to Clinton’s 31.

In 2020, there were 8 states decided by 5 points or less. And this time, Trump only won 2 of the 8 - mirroring his underperformance relative to 2016 in most of the country. This time, Trump won 44 electoral votes from the close states compared to Biden’s 79.

All in all, Trump’s margin DECREASED in 41 states and DC when comparing his performance in 2016 and 2020 (regardless of whether or not he won the state).

Trump’s margin INCREASED in 9 states comparing 2016 and 2020.

In the 30 states which Trump won in 2016, his margin decreased in 26 of them and improved in 4 of them (Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Utah).

In the 20 states (and DC) which Trump lost in 2016, his margin decreased in 16 states and improved in 4 states and DC (California, Florida, Hawaii and Illinois).