Judge dismisses newspaper lawsuit in another blow to Trump

A court dismissed President Trump’s lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer, affirming that publishing pre-election polls is protected speech. The judge ruled that the poll data, which differed from the final election outcome, constituted social science rather than fraud or election interference. This decision prevents any future legal claims based on the same arguments, ensuring that political figures cannot punish pollsters under the guise of combating fake news. The ruling highlights the critical distinction between predictive modeling and legal liability, emphasizing that no pollster can guarantee election results. By rejecting the attempt to stretch consumer fraud laws to cover speech, the court reinforced First Amendment protections for independent analysis. This establishes a vital precedent for transparency, confirming that publishing data-driven insights remains a fundamental freedom immune from political retaliation or legal punishment. This case is highly relevant to open data because it safeguards the integrity of public information ecosystems. It ensures that researchers and institutions can share findings without fear of litigation, fostering an environment where data serves the public interest rather than political narratives. Protecting the right to publish accurate, albeit potentially uncomfortable, data is essential for maintaining trust in democratic processes and ensuring that citizens have access to unfiltered, transparent information sources.

Source: alternet.org
Published on 2026-09-25

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