Donald Trump Plans to Sue Newspaper Over Disliked Election Poll
Donald Trump has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against a newspaper due to an election poll he found unfavorable. This decision aligns with a series of recent threats and legal actions Trump has initiated against the media. Such actions could create an environment where publishers must exercise heightened caution regarding their content.
In journalism, a common guideline suggests that mere threats to sue are not inherently newsworthy. Anyone can claim they intend to file a lawsuit for various reasons, yet many such threats do not materialize into concrete legal actions. Therefore, it is often advised to wait for an actual lawsuit filing before considering it news. However, the case is different when it comes to Donald Trump.
“Trump says he plans to sue Ann Selzer and the newspaper in Iowa that published her poll showing Trump losing just days before the election,” tweeted Aaron Rupar on December 16, 2024.
Trump, known for frequently threatening individuals and the press with legal action, sometimes follows through on these threats. With his upcoming return to political power, heightened attention is warranted when he announces lawsuits against journalists and media outlets. Recently, Trump hinted at legal action against pollster Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register for publishing a poll indicating his potential loss in Iowa in the 2024 election.
Increased Legal Activity from Trump
Trump appears to be intensifying his legal efforts against media entities. Over the past weekend, he secured a $15 million settlement from ABC News regarding a March interview with George Stephanopoulos that Trump alleged was defamatory. Additionally, he filed a lawsuit against CBS, accusing its “60 Minutes” program of election interference concerning an interview with Kamala Harris.
Legal experts largely doubt Trump’s chances of succeeding against CBS in court. Attorney Floyd Abrams remarked to CNN this fall, “The First Amendment was drafted to protect the press from just such litigation.” Nonetheless, the same experts underestimated Trump’s prospects against ABC.
Strategic Legal Threats
The legal threats and actions from Trump and his associates, such as Kash Patel, appear to be strategic. Patel, nominated by Trump to lead the FBI, vowed to target media figures who he claims distorted narratives about the presidential election. David Enrich of The New York Times noted that these legal maneuvers seem to signal that the forthcoming Trump administration intends to curtail unfavorable media portrayals.
While the First Amendment makes it challenging to win defamation suits against journalists, especially when the plaintiff is a public figure, such lawsuits can still be financially burdensome. The parent company of The Des Moines Register has asserted that any lawsuit from Trump would lack merit. However, even in cases where publishers prevail, as The New York Times successfully did this year, recovering legal fees from Trump requires substantial resources and determination.
Impact on Journalism
Facing legal challenges from Trump is considerably different when he holds the presidency. As president, Trump has the power to complicate matters for individuals or companies regardless of courtroom outcomes. This reality necessitates careful consideration for those in journalism, not only when Trump or his associates contest their reporting but also in the initial stages of content creation.
Such considerations seem aligned with Trump’s objectives. Consequently, the media landscape must adapt to these pressures, bearing in mind the influence of potential legal threats from the highest levels of political power.
For more insights on this evolving story, visit the original article on Business Insider.