Overview

• President Trump filed suit in December 2024 alleging Ann Selzer’s Des Moines Register poll constituted consumer fraud and election interference after it showed Kamala Harris leading him 47% to 44% in Iowa.
• The complaint was amended to add Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and former state senator Bradley Zaun as co-plaintiffs seeking accountability under Iowa’s consumer fraud statute.
• Selzer’s legal team moved to dismiss the case in February on First Amendment grounds, arguing that predictive political polling is protected speech.
• On June 30, Trump’s attorney Edward Paltzik filed a notice of dismissal without prejudice, and Selzer’s counsel confirmed there was no settlement.
• Free-speech advocates warn the case highlights growing legal pressures on media outlets and pollsters, with potential chilling effects on independent journalism.