Most respectable performance by a defeated prez

[Sir Mohamed]

Which POTUS that lost reelection put up the most respectable election performance given all circumstances?

Tbh, I'm torn between Ford 1976 and Trump 2020. In the end, I'm saying Ford because he not only got more EVs and a higher voter share, he also came damn close despite not being elected before and almost losing his party's nomination. He might actually have won with the campaign going on for another 1-2 weeks. Trump still came very close despite being clobbered in the NPV and having a horrible term. Cleveland winning the NPV in 1888 could be a serious contender for this title, too.

My ranking would be this:

1. Ford 1976
2. Trump 2020
3. Cleveland 1888 (he won the NPV)
4. Harrison 1892
5. Bush Sr. 1992
6. Adams 1800
7. JQ Adams 1828
8. Van Buren 1840
9. Taft 1912 (got destroyed by just winning 8 EVs and 23% of the vote, but it was a 3-way race)
10. Carter 1980 (landslide loss)
11. Hoover 1932 (even bigger landslide loss)