Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, claiming defamation over a controversial edit of one of his speeches.
The dispute stems from a 2024 episode of the current affairs programme Panorama, which spliced comments from Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech at the US Capitol. Critics argued the edit made it appear that Trump had actively encouraged the attacks on Congress that day.
The BBC apologized, admitting the edits gave “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action.” The controversy contributed to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness.
On Monday (December 15), Trump filed his complaint, seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and an equal sum for allegedly violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Trump’s legal team said: “The formerly respected and now disgraced BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2025 presidential election.”
At a press conference, Trump accused the broadcaster of “putting terrible words in my mouth that I didn’t say,” adding that the edits “may have used AI.”
Last month, the BBC said it “strongly disagree(s) there is a basis for a defamation claim,” noting the episode was not broadcast in the US and arguing it did not harm Trump’s 2024 campaign. They added that the clip was edited for brevity, not to mislead. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the corporation will defend the case and declined further comment.
Meanwhile, the Labour government is facing pressure to support the BBC, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “stand up for the BBC against Trump’s outrageous legal threat.”
In other news, Trump sparked controversy on December 15 by attacking the late director Rob Reiner, who was found dead alongside his wife Michele Singer-Reiner in Los Angeles. Trump suggested Reiner’s death was linked to what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The remarks were condemned by Jack White, who called Trump a “disgusting, vile, egomaniac loser, child” and criticised him for insulting an artist who “gave the world so much.”
Do you have Trump fatigue? Only three more years to go … or maybe the US’ midterm election will change things.
