Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its pollster, J. Ann Selzer, alleging consumer fraud and election interference over a 2024 pre-election poll that showed Kamala Harris leading Trump in Iowa.
Why It Matters?
The lawsuit raises questions about the reliability of political polling and highlights Trump’s ongoing legal battles against media outlets. Trump, who won Iowa by 13 percentage points, claims the poll was intentionally misleading.
The Lawsuit
Trump’s legal team filed the suit late Monday in Polk County, Iowa.
The lawsuit targets the Des Moines Register, its parent company, Gannett, and pollster J. Ann Selzer.
It accuses them of engaging in "deceptive and misleading acts" related to their November 2 poll.
Trump’s team argues Selzer’s prediction of Harris leading Trump by three points was deliberate and amounted to fraud.
What Is Trump Saying?
Trump said the poll became “the biggest story all over the world” ahead of the election.
At a press conference, he accused Selzer of intentional interference, stating: “She knew exactly what she was doing.”
Trump emphasized the lawsuit is necessary to “straighten out the press,” calling it “very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections.”
Gannett’s Response
A spokesperson for Gannett, which owns the Des Moines Register, defended their reporting, saying the lawsuit is without merit.
Pollster’s Exit
J. Ann Selzer, known for her accuracy in Iowa polling, announced her retirement from political polling in mid-November, shortly after the election.
Selzer cited a desire to pursue “other ventures and opportunities.”
The Bigger Picture
This lawsuit is part of Trump’s ongoing legal battles with media organizations:
Simon & Schuster and Bob Woodward: Trump sued the publisher and journalist over allegedly improper use of interview tapes.
CBS News: Trump filed a suit in October, claiming a “deceitful” edit in a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
ABC News Settlement: Last week, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to settle a Trump defamation lawsuit.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to prevent the Des Moines Register from conducting misleading polling in the future. Further legal action may unfold as Trump continues his aggressive stance against media organizations.
Bottom Line
Trump’s lawsuit underscores his strategy to challenge media influence, particularly in political polling, while continuing a pattern of high-profile legal battles against major outlets.
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