President-elect Donald Trump is taking legal action against the Des Moines Register and top pollster J. Ann Selzer for what he alleges is “brazen election interference” and fraud. The lawsuit, filed in Polk County, Iowa, accuses the publication and pollster of manipulating the final 2024 presidential poll to show Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump in Iowa, despite his significant victory in the state. Trump’s legal team is seeking accountability and damages for what they claim was a deliberate attempt to influence the election outcome.
Trump Accuses Des Moines Register and Pollster of Election Interference
According to the lawsuit, the Des Moines Register and Selzer released a poll just three days before the election, showing Harris ahead of Trump by three points. This unexpected result caused a stir as previous polling had indicated a lead for Trump in Iowa. Trump’s attorneys argue that this misleading information forced the campaign to divert resources to counter the false narrative created by the poll.
Legal Battle Unfolds Amid Allegations of Deceptive Practices
The lawsuit highlights Selzer’s reputation for accurate polling and questions the sudden deviation from past predictions. Trump’s legal team contends that the poll was not an innocent mistake but a deliberate attempt to sway voters and create a sense of inevitability around Harris’s candidacy. The lawsuit underscores the impact of such deceptive practices on the electoral process and the public’s perception of candidates.
ABC News Settlement and Legal Victories
The legal action against the Des Moines Register comes on the heels of a settlement between ABC News and Trump in a defamation lawsuit. The network agreed to pay $15 million to the president-elect and issue statements of regret over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos. Trump’s legal team has been successful in several recent cases, including the dismissal of charges related to the 2020 election and ongoing litigation against CBS News for alleged deceptive conduct.
As the legal battle unfolds, Trump remains steadfast in his pursuit of accountability and justice in the face of what he deems as election interference and fraud. The lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and Selzer represents a significant step in addressing concerns about the integrity of polling data and its impact on the democratic process.