The election was not the polarizing factor; the polarization was there before the election even started. I have more questions about it than answers. The polarization was evident in the 114th Congress (2014) when the Republicans decided that they would do nothing to cooperate with the 41st President.
Since the elected officials are a reflection of the US population, we must recognize that the cultural divide that was brought to light during this election is somehow reflective, rather than causative.