President-elect Donald Trump is suing J. Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register, and its parent company Gannett, alleging violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act after a poll she conducted showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading him in the 2024 Iowa election. The poll, conducted days before the election, showed a shockingly close race, with Harris at 47% and Trump at 44%. However, Trump went on to win the election by a 13-point margin.
Trump’s lawsuit claims that the poll was intended to “artificially help Democrats” and that Selzer’s firm engaged in “deceptive practices” when reporting her poll results. The Des Moines Register and Gannett have countered that the poll’s data and methodology have been made public and that they stand by their reporting on the matter.
Media experts and legal scholars have expressed concern that the lawsuit could have a chilling effect on news reporting and polling, and that it reflects Trump’s continued attacks on the press and the use of legal action to silence critics. The case may be seen as an attempt to intimidate the media into conforming to Trump’s agenda, and to fear attacks on press freedom.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by Trump against the press, including a recent $16 million payout from ABC News. It is rare for Trump not to claim defamation, and instead, he is alleging violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deception when advertising or selling merchandise.
The case has been met with skepticism by many experts, who believe that the allegations lack evidence and are an attempt to silence the press. The lawsuit has also been criticized for its potential impact on the freedom of the press and the public’s access to information.
