Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
Former U.S. President Donald Trump accuses the BBC of misediting his January 6 speech and seeks damages, while the UK public broadcaster insists it will contest the case
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation, accusing the UK public broadcaster of deceptively editing his January 6, 2021 speech in a documentary aired ahead of the 2024 U.S. election in a way that misrepresented his remarks and damaged his reputation.
The complaint, lodged in federal court in Miami, alleges that the BBC’s Panorama episode “Trump: A Second Chance?” spliced together separate parts of his speech to create the impression that he encouraged violence at the U.S. Capitol, omitting contextual language in which he called for peaceful protest during the same address.
Trump’s legal team is seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and an additional $5 billion under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, asserting that the documentary’s edits constituted both reputational harm and deceptive conduct under state law.
The BBC acknowledged that the editing gave “a mistaken impression” and issued an apology in November 2025, describing the decision as an “error of judgment,” but has consistently denied there is a legal basis for a defamation claim and stated it will defend itself in court.
The broadcaster noted that the programme was not broadcast on U.S. television and emphasised that any digital access by American viewers would have been limited, challenging the notion that the broadcast caused the asserted harm.
BBC leadership has prepared legal arguments to have the case dismissed, including contesting the court’s jurisdiction and disputing whether the plaintiff can demonstrate actual malice, a high bar under U.S. defamation law for public figures.
The dispute has already had significant repercussions for the broadcaster: the controversy over the documentary’s editing previously led to the resignations of the BBC’s Director-General and News CEO amid broader discussions about editorial standards and impartiality.
The lawsuit adds an international legal front to Trump’s ongoing disputes with media organisations, following other suits and settlements with U.S. news outlets.
The BBC has reaffirmed its commitment to editorial independence and the integrity of its journalism as it prepares to answer the lawsuit in court while declining further comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
The complaint, lodged in federal court in Miami, alleges that the BBC’s Panorama episode “Trump: A Second Chance?” spliced together separate parts of his speech to create the impression that he encouraged violence at the U.S. Capitol, omitting contextual language in which he called for peaceful protest during the same address.
Trump’s legal team is seeking $5 billion in damages for defamation and an additional $5 billion under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, asserting that the documentary’s edits constituted both reputational harm and deceptive conduct under state law.
The BBC acknowledged that the editing gave “a mistaken impression” and issued an apology in November 2025, describing the decision as an “error of judgment,” but has consistently denied there is a legal basis for a defamation claim and stated it will defend itself in court.
The broadcaster noted that the programme was not broadcast on U.S. television and emphasised that any digital access by American viewers would have been limited, challenging the notion that the broadcast caused the asserted harm.
BBC leadership has prepared legal arguments to have the case dismissed, including contesting the court’s jurisdiction and disputing whether the plaintiff can demonstrate actual malice, a high bar under U.S. defamation law for public figures.
The dispute has already had significant repercussions for the broadcaster: the controversy over the documentary’s editing previously led to the resignations of the BBC’s Director-General and News CEO amid broader discussions about editorial standards and impartiality.
The lawsuit adds an international legal front to Trump’s ongoing disputes with media organisations, following other suits and settlements with U.S. news outlets.
The BBC has reaffirmed its commitment to editorial independence and the integrity of its journalism as it prepares to answer the lawsuit in court while declining further comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
