David Robert Daleiden (born January 1, 1989, in Houston, Texas) is an American anti-abortion activist and founder of the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), a nonprofit organization based in Irvine, California. Raised in a Catholic family in Texas, he developed an early interest in pro-life advocacy. Daleiden attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2010. After graduation, he joined Live Action, an anti-abortion organization founded by Lila Rose, where he contributed to undercover investigations targeting abortion providers. In 2013, he founded CMP, which is dedicated to investigating and publicizing what he describes as the exploitation of aborted fetuses in the biomedical industry. He rose to national prominence in July 2015 when CMP released a series of edited undercover videos purporting to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue for profit. The videos ignited widespread controversy, prompting multiple state and federal investigations into Planned Parenthood, attempts to defund the organization, and significant legal repercussions for Daleiden, including felony charges in Texas for falsifying government records and civil lawsuits from Planned Parenthood alleging privacy violations and defamation. Despite these challenges, Daleiden has persisted in his activism, collaborating with groups like Project Veritas and continuing to produce investigative content critical of the abortion industry. His work has positioned him as a key figure in the pro-life movement, earning praise from conservative leaders while drawing sharp criticism from reproductive rights advocates who accuse him of using deceptive tactics and misinformation. His efforts have influenced political discourse on abortion, contributing to legislative pushes against fetal tissue research and Planned Parenthood funding.