A new 2016 election analysis from three college professors and endorsed by liberal editors concludes that Russian email hacking and social media trolling did not doom Hillary Clinton and pave the way for President Trump.

In the end, according to “Identity Crisis,” Clinton blew her chances and Trump seized on growing political and racial division in the country.



President-elect Donald Trump motions to supporters as he and his son, Barron Trump, and wife, Melania Trump, walk on stage at an election night rally, Nov. 9, 2016. (Julie Jacobson/AP)



“The best way to think about how much Russian interference affected the outcome of the 2016 election is with something between agnosticism and skepticism — and probably leaning toward skepticism,” said the book, a copy of which was provided to Secrets.

About the email hacking of the Democratic Party and Clinton adviser John Podesta, “although Russian interference was and is deeply concerning, there are many reasons to doubt that it changed the outcome,” said the book. And, the authors added, the mini-scandal was quickly overwhelmed by the release of the anti-Trump "Access Hollywood" tape and the Democratic National Convention.



Former President Bill Clinton wipes his eye as his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, concedes her defeat to Republican Donald Trump on Nov. 9, 2016. (Andrew Harnik/AP)



As for social media trolling, “Russian-sponsored content on social media likely did not decide the election,” said the authors. “Given the billions if not trillions of tweets and posts on these media during the election campaign, Russian-sponsored content was an infinitesimal fraction,” it added.

The book goes on sale next month.