Iowa Judge Dismisses Trump's Lawsuit Against Des Moines Register and Pollster
A judge dismissed Donald Trump’s lawsuit against The Des Moines Register, its parent company Gannett Co., and pollster J. Ann Selzer for allegedly misrepresenting the state of the 2024 presidential race in Iowa. Judge Scott J. Beattie ruled that the case sought to extend consumer fraud law beyond constitutional protections afforded by the First Amendment. Trump had accused the defendants of publishing misleading polls close to Election Day, which he claimed damaged his campaign and violated Iowa’s laws. The lawsuit was part of a broader pattern where Trump has filed multiple suits against media outlets over perceived bias. The dismissed case involved an October 2024 poll that showed Kamala Harris leading in likely voter support; however, Trump won the state with strong final-day turnout. Selzer and her co-defendants argued their work constituted protected political speech rather than commercial activity. The judge’s decision reinforces legal boundaries around free press protections and limits potential liability for media organizations covering polls.
