Investigation Launched Against “Fake Pollsters”

President-elect Donald Trump has called for an investigation into J. Ann Selzer, the longtime Iowa pollster whose final pre-election survey incorrectly showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading in Iowa—a state Trump won by a staggering margin.

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump blasted Selzer and the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, labeling it a “totally Fake poll” and accusing the pollster of deliberate misinformation.

“She knew exactly what she was doing,” Trump declared. “A totally Fake poll that caused great distrust and uncertainty at a very critical time. Thank you to the GREAT PEOPLE OF IOWA for giving me such a record-breaking vote, despite possible ELECTION FRAUD by Ann Selzer and the now discredited ‘newspaper’ for which she works. An investigation is fully called for!”

While Trump did not clarify whether he was demanding a criminal probe, his spokesperson told USA Today that “President Trump was very clear in his Truth Social post.”

The Fallout from Selzer’s Final Poll
Selzer’s last poll, published on November 1, suggested Harris would defeat Trump by three points in Iowa. Instead, Trump carried the state by an astounding 13-point margin, raising questions about the accuracy of the poll and its potential impact on voter confidence.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming communications director, criticized Selzer’s work as “a blatant attempt to misinform the public for the benefit of Kamala Harris.”

Selzer, who announced her retirement shortly after the election, defended her integrity in an op-ed for the Des Moines Register. She admitted the poll’s results were far from reality but maintained that her exit had been planned for over a year.

“Would I have liked to make this announcement after a final poll aligned with Election Day results? Of course,” Selzer wrote. “It’s ironic that it’s just the opposite.”

In a post-election analysis, Selzer noted that her team found “nothing to illuminate the miss” but speculated that respondents may have lied or changed their opinions after the survey.

“My integrity means a lot to me,” she added. “To those who have questioned it, there are likely no words to dissuade.”

Historic Pollster Under Fire
J. Ann Selzer has been a prominent figure in political polling for nearly 40 years, earning a reputation for her Iowa polls’ historical accuracy. However, her final survey’s glaring disparity has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Des Moines Register executive editor Carol Hunter acknowledged the error in a note to readers, saying, “To date, no likely single culprit has emerged to explain the wide disparity.”

The poll’s results were prominently featured on the front page of the Des Moines Register, energizing Democrats and Harris supporters who saw it as a sign of momentum. However, the actual election results dashed those hopes, leaving Selzer’s credibility in question.

A Battle Over Trust in Institutions
Trump’s remarks reflect a broader skepticism of mainstream polling and media institutions that he has championed throughout his political career. His demand for an investigation signals an effort to hold pollsters accountable for inaccuracies he claims undermine public trust.

As the dust settles, Selzer plans to step back from the spotlight and focus on “other ventures and opportunities.” Meanwhile, Trump remains focused on his agenda as he prepares for his January 20 inauguration.

The controversy underscores the stakes of election polling in shaping perceptions—and the backlash when those perceptions don’t align with reality.