Trump Drops Major Lawsuit

Pollster Claimed Harris Was Leading—Trump Won by a Landslide

President Donald Trump has officially dropped his federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register, ending a legal dispute over what his legal team called a “fraudulent and misleading” 2024 presidential poll. That now-infamous poll had falsely claimed then-Vice President Kamala Harris was leading Trump in Iowa by three points—when in reality, Trump dominated the state by 14 points.

The poll was published just days before the election, sparking outrage from conservatives who saw it as a blatant attempt to manipulate voter perception and suppress enthusiasm. Trump’s lawsuit accused Selzer and the newspaper of violating Iowa’s consumer protection laws by spreading false, politically motivated information.

“Selzer wasn’t the only one distorting the truth,” Trump’s attorneys argued. “But her platform gave her power to influence the election outcome in a state that Trump ultimately won in a landslide.”

Pollster Retires After Legal Battle—No Settlement Reached

According to NPR, Selzer’s attorney confirmed that no settlement was reached, and the case was dismissed voluntarily. Selzer retired in November 2024 after decades of conducting polling for the Des Moines Register.

The case, originally filed in state court in December, was moved to federal court in February before its dismissal this week.

Part of Trump’s Larger Media Accountability Campaign

This lawsuit is one of several legal actions taken by President Trump to challenge what he describes as corrupt practices in mainstream media. In 2024:

• Trump sued ABC News after George Stephanopoulos falsely characterized a civil jury verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case. That resulted in a $15 million settlement.
• Trump has a pending lawsuit against CBS’s 60 Minutes, accusing them of intentionally editing an interview with Kamala Harris to make her appear more competent during the campaign.
• He also threatened legal action against CNN and The New York Times for reporting on intelligence briefings that disputed his success in U.S. airstrikes during Operation Midnight Hammer.

Why It Matters for America’s Future

President Trump’s legal moves reflect a growing demand among millions of Americans for truthful reporting, transparent polling, and accountability in media. As the 2028 election approaches, this fight over media bias and election integrity remains front and center.