Trump threatens $1 billion lawsuit against BBC over ‘defamatory’ documentary edit

Trump threatens $1 billion lawsuit against BBC over ‘defamatory’ documentary edit

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for $1 billion, accusing it of maliciously editing a speech he gave before the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots.

According to a letter obtained by AFP, Trump’s legal team demanded that the BBC retract the documentary containing the alleged edit, issue a public apology, and compensate him for what they described as “defamatory, malicious, and misleading” representation of his remarks.

The letter gave the broadcaster until Friday to comply or face a lawsuit seeking “no less than $1,000,000,000 (One Billion Dollars) in damages.”

“The BBC is on notice. PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY,” the letter stated.

The controversy has already claimed a casualty, as the BBC’s Director-General resigned on Sunday amid growing criticism over the Panorama documentary that reportedly misrepresented Trump’s speech.

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In a statement on Monday, the BBC confirmed receiving the letter, adding that it would “review” its contents while also issuing a public apology for the editing error.

Trump’s lawyers alleged that the broadcaster’s portrayal of his speech outside the White House gave a “false, defamatory, and inflammatory” impression, suggesting that he directly incited the Capitol riot.

“Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements aired by the BBC have been widely disseminated through various digital platforms, reaching tens of millions globally,” the letter said. “Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump overwhelming financial and reputational harm.”

A spokesman for Trump’s legal team confirmed that the letter was sent, accusing the BBC of deliberately attempting to influence the U.S. presidential race.

“The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary to interfere in the presidential election,” the spokesman said. “President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.”

Trump, who has a history of legal battles with major U.S. media outlets — including ABC, CBS, and The New York Times — has frequently accused journalists of spreading misinformation about him and his administration.

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Trump threatens $1 billion lawsuit against BBC over ‘defamatory’ documentary edit