Donald Trump’s legal track record is nothing short of astonishing, with over 4,000 lawsuits spanning his career. From personal vendettas to business disputes and campaign-related actions, the former president has made litigation a hallmark of his existence. His latest legal adventure is a prime example of how he twists the system to his advantage, even when the cause seems trivial or baseless.
Trump’s ongoing lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register highlights his relentless pursuit of legal battles. The issue? A pre-election poll that predicted Kamala Harris would win Iowa by three percentage points, only for Trump to win by 13 percentage points instead. In his view, this polling discrepancy amounts to “brazen election interference,” though legal experts are highly skeptical of the suit’s merits. His reasoning? He believes that the inaccurate poll was an intentional effort to sway the election results, despite no clear evidence to support this claim.
This lawsuit follows a pattern of Trump’s litigious tendencies, including a previous high-profile case in which he secured a $15 million settlement from ABC News over a statement made by anchor George Stephanopoulos regarding Trump’s alleged sexual abuse of author E. Jean Carroll. For Trump, these legal victories seem less about seeking justice and more about using the legal system as a tool to enforce his will, punish detractors, and protect his image.
Trump’s pursuit of legal battles has created a precedent for what many see as an abuse of the system, particularly for those who continue to hope he will govern with any semblance of presidential decorum. As his latest suit demonstrates, Trump remains unwilling to let go of personal grievances, no matter how minor, and is willing to use the power of litigation to create disruption—further proving that he sees himself not as a leader, but as a ruler, manipulating the law to his benefit.
Whether or not this latest lawsuit stands a chance in court is yet to be seen, but it’s another example of Trump’s litigious approach to life and governance. For the majority who’ve long since realized what Trump is about, this is just another instance of his unrelenting quest for vengeance and control. For those still clinging to hope, this lawsuit is another painful reminder that his priorities have never aligned with the country’s well-being.