STORY
Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the British public broadcaster of deliberately misrepresenting one of his speeches in a Panorama documentary. The lawsuit, lodged in a federal court in Florida on Monday, marks a dramatic escalation in the President’s ongoing confrontations with major media organisations.
Trump’s complaint centres on a BBC Panorama episode that aired before the 2024 United States presidential election and spliced separate portions of his 6 January 2021 speech, creating the impression he was exhorting supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol. The suit alleges the broadcaster’s editing was “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory and malicious”, and asserts the BBC harmed his reputation and interfered in the election. Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and another $5 billion for unfair trade practices.
The BBC has responded by saying it will defend the lawsuit vigorously. The corporation previously apologised for the “error of judgment” in editing the footage but has denied that it defamed Trump, insisting there is “no basis for a defamation case” and reaffirming its commitment to robust journalism. BBC executives also point out that the Panorama documentary was not broadcast in the United States, complicating the legal arguments.
The legal action comes at a time when Trump has faced a series of serious allegations and challenges, both legal and political. Critics argue the lawsuit against the BBC may be partly aimed at shifting focus from his current troubles and rallying supporters by portraying himself as under attack from powerful media institutions. Analysts note that suing a major foreign broadcaster in a U.S. court is unusual and could raise complex jurisdictional issues.