Trump Files Lawsuit Against Iowa Pollster Non-Profit
In a shocking turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against prominent Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and her polling company, alleging election interference. The lawsuit, which was filed last month, claims that Selzer’s Iowa Poll in the Des Moines Register, showing Trump trailing by three points in Iowa, was misleading and created a false narrative about the race.
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Steps In
To combat these allegations, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has come to Selzer’s defense, offering to represent her and her company free of charge. Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney for the group, stated that the primary goal of the lawsuit is not to win the claim but to make the plaintiff pay the legal fees and go through the hassle of defending against the lawsuit.
SLAPP Lawsuit Accusations
Steinbaugh further explained that Trump’s lawsuit falls under the category of a ‘Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation’ (SLAPP), which aims to stifle free expression by forcing individuals to defend baseless legal claims in court. The lawsuit alleges that Selzer and the Des Moines Register violated Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act by releasing a poll showing Trump trailing Kamala Harris in Iowa just before the election.
Response to Lawsuit
In response to the lawsuit, a Chicago-based group has filed a similar lawsuit against The Register and Ann Selzer, accusing them of misleading subscribers. The Register’s legal counsel has dismissed this second lawsuit as a “frivolous, copy-cat lawsuit” designed to suppress First Amendment-protected speech.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the future of polling practices and free expression in Iowa. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Is there a price tag on free speech? How far is too far when it comes to challenging poll results? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
