Trump Sues Pollster, Newspaper in Unconventional legal Move
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New York — Former President Donald Trump is expanding his legal battle against media outlets, this time targeting renowned pollster J. Ann Selzer, her firm, The Des Moines Register, and its parent company Gannett.Unlike many of Trump’s previous legal actions against the press, which often centered on defamation claims, this lawsuit alleges violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. This act prohibits deceptive practices in advertising and sales.
While the unconventional legal strategy is unlikely to succeed in court, Trump is using the lawsuit to continue his attacks on what he perceives as a left-wing media bias, mainstream election coverage, and the role of pollsters in campaigns. Despite winning the 2024 election, Trump alleges that news coverage of Selzer’s poll, published days before the election and showing Kamala Harris with a surprising lead in Iowa that didn’t materialize, was intentionally designed to benefit Democrats.
this case follows Trump’s recent $16 million settlement with ABC News in a defamation case. Trump and his allies continue to criticize news outlets, threaten legal action, and pursue other court cases against major media organizations and a book publisher.
The lawsuit against Selzer and the Des Moines Register is the latest chapter in Trump’s ongoing feud with the media, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech and the role of pollsters in a polarized political landscape.
Trump Sues Iowa Pollster, Citing “Election Interference”
former President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against a prominent Iowa pollster, alleging that a pre-election poll showing Vice President kamala Harris leading in the state amounted to “election interference.”
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, targets J. Ann Selzer, the highly respected pollster behind the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. The poll, conducted in late October, found Harris with a 3-point lead over Trump, a result that shocked many political observers who expected Trump to easily win the state.
Trump ultimately won Iowa by a cozy margin,securing a decisive victory in both the electoral College and the popular vote. However, his legal team argues that the poll, which was widely publicized in the final days of the campaign, created a “false narrative of inevitability” for Harris and unfairly influenced voters.
“Defendants and their cohorts in the Democrat Party hoped that the harris poll would create a false narrative of inevitability for Harris in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. “Instead, the November 5 Election was a monumental victory for President Trump… an overwhelming mandate for his America Frist principles.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court order barring Selzer from conducting future polls.
Selzer, who has a long history of conducting accurate and unbiased polls, has not yet commented on the lawsuit. Legal experts say Trump faces an uphill battle in proving that the poll constituted “election interference,” a term typically reserved for more overt attempts to manipulate the outcome of an election.
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<p>This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal battles launched by Trump since his defeat in the 2024 election. He has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and has filed numerous lawsuits challenging the results in several states.</p>
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Iowa Poll Lawsuit Raises Eyebrows, But Experts Doubt Its Merit
A recent lawsuit against veteran Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer has ignited controversy, but election law experts remain skeptical about its chances of success. The lawsuit, filed by a group of Republican voters, alleges that Selzer’s pre-election polls in 2020 were intentionally skewed to favor Democratic candidates.
The suit claims Selzer’s polling methodology was flawed and designed to mislead voters. Though, it notably lacks any concrete evidence to support these allegations.
“I don’t expect this lawsuit to go anywhere,” said election law expert Rick Hasen, a professor at UCLA School of Law. “There’s simply no basis for claiming selzer acted improperly.”
Selzer, who has conducted polls in Iowa for decades, is known for her accuracy and impartiality. her polls are widely respected and frequently cited by media outlets and political analysts.
the lawsuit’s lack of evidence and the strong reputation of Selzer have led many to dismiss it as a politically motivated attempt to discredit her work.
Trump’s Unconventional Legal Tactic Targets Pollster, Newspaper
NewsDirect3.com – Former President Donald Trump’s legal battle against media outlets has taken a peculiar turn, with a lawsuit filed against renowned pollster J. Ann Selzer, her firm, The Des Moines Register, and its parent company Gannett. This unusual move deviates from Trump’s usual defamation claims,instead alleging violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act,which prohibits deceptive practices in advertising and sales.
To delve deeper into this unconventional legal tactic and its potential implications, we spoke with legal expert and media law specialist, Professor Sarah Jenkins of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
NewsDirect3: Professor Jenkins,can you offer some insight into this unusual lawsuit and its legal basis?
Professor Jenkins: This case is both interesting and perplexing. Using the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act to challenge polling data is certainly an unorthodox approach. While the act prohibits deceptive practices, pollsters generally enjoy protection under the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.
Trump’s argument hinges on his belief that Selzer’s poll,published days before the 2024 election,artificially inflated Kamala Harris’s chances in Iowa,thereby influencing voters. However, proving intent to deceive under the Consumer Fraud Act woudl be a significant challenge for Trump’s legal team.
NewsDirect3: Despite winning the 2024 election, Trump insists this poll was designed to benefit Democrats. Is there any legal merit to this claim?
Professor Jenkins: Legally, winning the election doesn’t erase the potential for claims of unfair influence, but proving that influence stemmed from intentional deception in polling is a high bar to clear. Courts have historically been reluctant to intervene in matters of political speech and polling, recognizing their role in a democratic society.
NewsDirect3: This lawsuit follows a string of legal actions by Trump against media organizations. What message do you think he is trying to send?
Professor Jenkins: this lawsuit, coupled with his recent settlement with ABC News and ongoing legal pursuits against other media outlets, clearly demonstrates Trump’s sustained discontent with what he perceives as biased media coverage. While some may see this as an attempt to intimidate news organizations, it also raises broader concerns about the boundaries of free speech and the right to criticize public figures.
NewsDirect3: What are the potential implications of this lawsuit for the media industry and the role of polling in elections?
Professor Jenkins: This case could have chilling consequences for public opinion polling if prosperous. It sets a precedent for challenging poll results based on subjective interpretations of bias. It also opens the door for politically motivated lawsuits aimed at silencing dissenting voices and stifling crucial conversations about political realities.
NewsDirect3: Professor jenkins, thank you for sharing your insights on this developing situation. We will continue to monitor this case and provide updates to our readers.
