Trump to sue Des Moines Register and Ann Selzer over flawed Iowa poll

Donald Trump announces lawsuit against Des Moines Register and Ann Selzer after controversial Iowa poll results.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its pollster, Ann Selzer, after a controversial poll showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump in Iowa just days before the election. 

The poll, conducted by Selzer, found Harris ahead by three points in the historically red state. However, Trump ended up winning Iowa by more than 10 points, leading him to accuse the poll of “election interference and fraud.”

🚨 #BREAKING: TRUMP TO SUE THE DES MOINES REGISTER OVER THE FINAL SELZER POLL - "ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND FRAUD"

The final poll in Iowa was Harris+3 - wrong by 16 points.

"We'll probably be filing a major lawsuit against them today or tomorrow." pic.twitter.com/xCADO2KbUx

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 16, 2024

Selzer’s polling firm, Selzer & Company, has earned a reputation for accuracy in past elections, which made the poll’s results particularly controversial. In a recent interview, Selzer expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind the poll’s inaccuracies, stating that while she explored all possible factors, she could not pinpoint a clear explanation for the discrepancies. She emphasized that her methodology remained consistent and that she had never intentionally manipulated results.

Despite the criticism, Selzer suggested that the poll may have inadvertently motivated Republican voters, who may have felt overly confident in a Trump victory. She also indicated that she would be moving on to new ventures after the election.

The Des Moines Register, the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, has been a key player in political polling, with Selzer’s company receiving an A+ rating for accuracy. Trump’s lawsuit follows increasing criticism of the poll’s accuracy and its potential impact on voter perception in Iowa.