Trump Initiates Legal Action Against Des Moines Register and Prominent Pollster Over Disputed Iowa Survey Results
Unlike numerous legal disputes Trump has with the media, accusing them of defamation, this instance alleges violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. This law prohibits disingenuous practices when promoting or selling merchandise.
Though the unconventional accusations likely won't hold up in court, Trump is using the lawsuit as a tool to attack what he considers left-wing media, mainstream coverage of elections, and pollsters' roles during campaigns. Despite his victory in the 2024 election, Trump alleges the poll coverage of Selzer, published before the election, demonstrating Harris with a surprising lead in Iowa that didn't translate to votes, was intentionally beneficial to Democrats during the campaign.
Experts in media caution that the lawsuit could potentially stifle not only news journalism but also political polling. Selzer didn't immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.
The lawsuit emerges after Trump secured a $16 million settlement from ABC News in a defamation case they settled over the weekend. Trump and his allies continuously criticize, threaten, and pursue legal action against major news outlets and a book publisher.
The lawsuit represents Trump's fury towards the last Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll of the 2024 election season. Selzer's firm, Selzer & Co., conducted the poll at the end of October, interviewing 808 likely Iowa voters on the phone. The poll revealed Harris with 47% support and Trump with 44%, a shocking result considering his expected victory in the state.
However, Trump did indeed win, earning a 13-point margin. This win is crucial to his argument that Selzer interfered with the election.
"Defendants, alongside their Democratic Party allies, sought to create a fabricated sense of Harris's unstoppable victory in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election. Instead, the November 5th Election was an emphatic victory for President Trump in both the Electoral College and the Popular Vote, a clear mandate for his 'America First' principles, and the relegation of the radical progressive agenda to the dustbin of history," Trump's legal team asserted.
Regrettably, the lawsuit lacks substance to substantiate any improper actions on Selzer's part when reporting the poll results.
"I don't anticipate this lawsuit to advance very far," election law expert Rick Hasen, a UCLA School of Law professor, stated upon learning of the suit on Monday night.
In response to the allegations, Selzer's firm might need to defend their business practices in media, ensuring transparency and adherence to ethical polling standards. The ongoing legal dispute between Trump and the media raises questions about the potential impact on free press and political polling.
