(ProsperNews.net) – President-elect Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its chief pollster, J. Ann Selzer, accusing them of election interference and fraud over a controversial poll published just days before the 2024 presidential election. The poll, released on November 2, 2024, showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by three points in Iowa—a state he ultimately won by more than 13 percentage points. The lawsuit, filed in Polk County, Iowa, also names Gannett, the parent company of the Des Moines Register and USA Today, as a defendant.
The lawsuit alleges that the poll results were deliberately manipulated to mislead voters and media outlets, framing Harris as a stronger contender in Iowa than she was in reality. Trump’s legal team is seeking accountability under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, arguing that the poll’s dissemination constituted “brazen election interference.”
According to the lawsuit, the poll purported a significant seven-point swing toward Harris from September’s findings, when Trump was shown leading by four points. Trump’s attorneys have labeled the results “not reality, but election-interfering fiction,” suggesting the poll was intentionally designed to suppress Republican voter turnout.
Selzer, whose polling has been regarded as highly accurate in previous election cycles, has faced intense scrutiny over the discrepancies between her final poll and the actual election results. Critics within Trump’s camp claim the poll gave undue momentum to Harris in the media, influencing narratives in the crucial final days before the election.
The Des Moines Register and Gannett are also accused of amplifying the poll’s misleading findings, allegedly contributing to widespread misrepresentation of the race in Iowa. Trump’s legal team asserts that this misinformation had the potential to undermine voter confidence and unfairly skew public perception.
Selzer announced her retirement from election polling following the election but has previously defended her methodology, stating the poll adhered to rigorous standards. Trump’s legal team, however, insists that even if unintentional, the poll’s inaccuracies warrant accountability under Iowa law.
The lawsuit follows a broader pattern of legal action from Trump, who has been vocal in challenging what he perceives as unfair media practices. The Des Moines Register and Gannett have not yet commented on the suit. Political observers note that the case could have significant implications for the polling industry and its role in shaping election coverage.
Copyright 2024, ProsperNews.net
