Staff Reports
Donald Trump is taking the Des Moines Register to court over a politically charged poll that recently sent shockwaves through the Iowa landscape. Pollster Ann Selzer, once regarded as a reliable source, mistakenly predicted that Kamala Harris would take Iowa by a landslide, only to see Trump not only hold the state but win it by a staggering 13 points. This absurd discrepancy has raised eyebrows and prompted Trump to claim that the poll wasn’t just wrong—it was part of a devious plan to undermine his campaign right as election day approached.
Given Iowa’s transformation from a swing state to a Republican stronghold since Trump’s inaugural victory in 2016, Selzer’s flawed forecast has now taken center stage in what many see as a witch hunt against the former president. The glaring inaccuracy prompted accusations that Selzer’s misfire was a last-ditch effort to boost Harris’s chances during a critical campaign moment. Following the election, Selzer decided to hang up her polling hat, presumably eager to exit the arena after such a miscalculation, though critics might argue she should have done so long ago.
🇺🇸 🗳️ 🧑⚖️ #US President-elect Donald #Trump is suing #pollster Ann Selzer and the #DesMoinesRegister newspaper for underestimating his chances of winning the state of #Iowa in November's presidential election.
Read more here: https://t.co/FUfrSznHjy pic.twitter.com/os6tGFwbRy
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) December 18, 2024
Trump’s lawsuit paints a picture of Selzer’s poll as more than just an embarrassing blunder; it frames it as a deliberate strategy to influence the 2024 Presidential Election in favor of his opponents. His arguments point to a media tendency to manipulate narratives, making a mockery of honest polling. Meanwhile, spokespeople for the Des Moines Register have doubled down, insisting their reporting is sound and that any legal challenge against them lacks substance. Clearly, they relish their role as the self-appointed gatekeepers of “truth,” even when their credibility is in tatters.
In stark contrast to the previous administration’s media aversion, Trump openly discussed these lawsuits during a recent press conference. Unlike Joe Biden, who often retreats from scrutiny, Trump appeared brash and unyielding in holding the media accountable for what he perceives as outright deception. His proposed legal battle against Selzer and the Register further signals his intent to address what he views as rampant bias rather than allow the liberal echo chamber to dictate the narrative.
Just days ago, Trump celebrated a significant win over the mainstream media when ABC News agreed to pay him $15 million to settle a defamation case related to an erroneous claim from anchor George Stephanopoulos. Continuing to flex his legal muscle, he’s also pursuing CBS News for misrepresenting an interview response from Harris. Critics might wring their hands over Trump’s legal maneuvers, deriding him as vengeful and petty, yet these same individuals are notably silent about their relentless pursuit of Trump’s legal obliteration in the past year.
While Trump’s strategy might be disconcerting for some, it is undeniably revealing. A president who refuses to back down against persistent media attacks is a far cry from the “do nothing” narrative his critics try to paint. The tables are turning, and as Trump aims to reclaim the narrative from dastardly reporters who have misled the public, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that he won’t stop until he’s sent a clear message: deception has consequences.
