AN IOWA JUDGE HAS DISMISSED PRESIDENT TRUMP’S LAWSUIT AGAINST POLLSTER J. ANN SELZER AND THE DES MOINES REGISTER OVER A PRE-ELECTION SURVEY PUBLISHED JUST DAYS BEFORE THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
IN THE RULING ISSUED WEDNESDAY, IOWA DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SCOTT BEATTIE REJECTED TRUMP’S ARGUMENT THAT THE POLL, WHICH SHOWED THEN-VICE PRESIDENT AND DEMOCRAT KAMALA HARRIS LEADING HIM IN IOWA BY THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS, VIOLATED THE STATE’S CONSUMER FRAUD LAWS.
ALTHOUGH TRUMP ULTIMATELY CARRIED IOWA BY 14 POINTS, BEATTIE FOUND THAT AN INACCURATE POLLING PREDICTION DOES NOT AMOUNT TO FRAUD.
IN HIS DECISION, THE JUDGE WROTE THAT THE LAWSUIT LOOKED TO EXPAND IOWA LAW BEYOND ITS INTENDED SCOPE BY IMPOSING LIABILITY ON SPEECH PROTECTED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
THE CASE WAS DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, SO TRUMP CANNOT FILE THE SAME SUIT AGAIN.
