By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Donald Trump has dropped his federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and Gannett, alleging the survey falsely boosted Kamala Harris’s chances during the 2024 election. The case was dismissed without prejudice after the president’s legal team was denied requests to move the lawsuit out of federal court, and a similar complaint was subsequently filed in Iowa district court. Selzer’s attorney stated that there was no settlement involved, and the newspaper will continue to defend its First Amendment rights. This withdrawal occurs alongside a separate $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News, which is expected to reach a settlement.
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Trump drops lawsuit against Iowa pollster and newspaper over pre-election survey that favored Kamala Harris. It’s another one of those stories that just kind of… happens, isn’t it? It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of news, especially when it concerns someone as prolific in the legal arena as Donald Trump. This time, the target of his legal ire was the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer, a case sparked by a pre-election poll that, to put it mildly, didn’t paint a flattering picture of Trump’s prospects in Iowa. The poll, which showed Kamala Harris with a degree of support, clearly didn’t align with Trump’s narrative of electoral dominance, and that’s where the lawsuit originated.
The key takeaway is that Trump has, in fact, dropped the lawsuit. That’s the headline, the bottom line. And the reasons behind this decision are what people are understandably curious about. One popular theory, often whispered in political circles, is that Trump wanted to avoid further scrutiny of the election. With ongoing legal challenges related to election fraud, digging too deep into why the voting machine tabulations might not have matched up with the polling data was simply not a route he wanted to go. Another suggestion is that this was primarily for optics, the headlines on Fox News, and that was all he wanted in the first place.
This lawsuit seemed a bit flimsy from the start, and the lack of a clear basis for determining damages certainly contributed to the case’s perceived weakness. Trump ultimately won the election, so how could he demonstrate financial harm? It highlights a recurring pattern: file a suit, get some attention, and then maybe quietly retreat. This certainly seems to fit the classic pattern. And let’s not forget, the legal process itself can be incredibly expensive. In cases like this, the defense usually has to bear significant costs, which is what makes this a story of potential financial relief.
One of the main drivers behind the decision to drop the suit seems to be the discovery phase. This is where a lot of the juicy, uncomfortable truths have the potential to emerge, and it seems like Trump might have decided to cut his losses. The threat of revealing information, having to turn over documents, and giving testimony under oath can be a powerful deterrent for those who may be less confident in their case. This is where legal costs and the potential exposure of a flimsy case can be too great to ignore.
The circumstances surrounding the dismissal also raise a few interesting questions. For instance, what happens to the legal fees incurred by Selzer and the Des Moines Register? Will they be able to recover those costs? In addition, this case highlights the ongoing debate about strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP suits, which are designed to intimidate and silence critics. This has been a tactic he has utilized for years. These legal strategies often involve filing meritless lawsuits with the primary goal of wearing down opponents through the costs of litigation, regardless of the merits of the actual case.
The political landscape is full of personalities, and Trump’s is definitely one of the most recognizable. The reactions to the dropped lawsuit have, as you might expect, been varied. Some see it as a sign of weakness, another instance of Trump backing down when the going gets tough. Others view it as a strategic move, a calculated decision to avoid further scrutiny or unwanted revelations. There’s even a sense of déjà vu, a feeling that we’ve seen this play out before – the filing of a lawsuit, the headlines, and then the quiet withdrawal.
One of the more interesting aspects of this case is the way it reflects broader trends in political discourse. Polling, in particular, is subject to a lot of scrutiny and debate. It’s a complex field, and its value is often hotly contested. The lawsuit against Selzer and the Des Moines Register, regardless of its merits, throws a spotlight on the relationship between polling, politics, and public perception.
In the end, the Trump lawsuit against the Iowa pollster and newspaper serves as a small snapshot of the political theater. The lawsuit’s quick demise is just another chapter in a long story. What’s important is recognizing the motivations, the strategies, and the potential consequences of these actions. It’s a complex story.