According to Facebook, Australia couldn't get enough of Trump in 2016
Like slowing down to gawk at a car crash, Australia could not get enough of the U.S. election in 2016.
It was the most talked about topic among the 15 million or so Australians sharing posts on Facebook this year, according to the company's own data. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and shark attacks rounded out the top three. So, all in all, a remarkably gloomy year.
According to Mia Garlick, director of Facebook policy for Australia and New Zealand, 289 million people around the world created 10 billion interactions --- likes, comments, shares and original posts -- from the day Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president in Mar., 2015 through to election day this November.
"The fact that the US election did not feature in the top ten most talked about topics by Australians in 2015 suggests that 2016 was the year that got Australians most engaged about the election," she said.
And why not? The whole thing was, and continues to be, C.R.A.Z.Y.
Alongside Turnbull, right-wing politician Pauline Hanson was the only other local politico to make the top 10 list. Australia held its own election this year, but apparently the whole rigmarole wasn't quite as engaging as Clinton v. Trump.
Here's your 2016 "most talked about" list, Australia. And here's hoping 2017 is slightly more cheery.
1. U.S. Elections
2. Malcolm Turnbull
3. Shark Attacks
4. David Bowie
5. Pokémon Go
6. Pauline Hanson
7. Western Bulldogs and AFL Grand Final
8. Brexit
9. Rodrigo Duterte
10. Olympics
Topics Facebook Social Media
Ariel Bogle was an associate editor with Mashable in Australia covering technology. Previously, Ariel was associate editor at Future Tense in Washington DC, an editorial initiative between Slate and New America.