Trump files lawsuit against BBC, seeking $10 billion for alleged defamation

The lawsuit concerns the Panorama documentary titled Trump: A Second Chance, which was released a week before the 2024 presidential election.

US President Donald Trump's case against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will be heard in a federal court in Miami. The lawsuit seeks $10 billion: $5 billion for defamation and another $5 billion for violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The lawsuit focuses on an edited version of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, which, according to the US president, the BBC deliberately distorted to create the impression that he allegedly encouraged his supporters to commit violence and storm the Capitol.

According to the plaintiff, the editing made it appear as if he called on supporters to storm the Capitol, whereas he did not speak those words in that sequence.

Trump claims that the BBC intentionally omitted key parts of his speech, thereby misleading viewers.

Trump’s lawyers also assert that the documentary was produced as part of a “brazen attempt to interfere with and influence the outcome of the election to the detriment of President Trump.”

BBC’s response to Trump’s allegations

Meanwhile, the BBC has already apologized for the editing mistake and promised not to rebroadcast the documentary. Moreover, the corporation’s Director-General and Head of News have resigned.

However, Trump and his team argue that the apology is insufficient and that the company’s actions have harmed his reputation.

The UK government and BBC representatives have pledged to defend the broadcaster in court. Health Secretary Stephen Kinnock stated that the BBC has the right to defend itself, and that isolated editing errors do not constitute grounds for defamation.

Trump’s lawsuits against media companies

Recently, the White House launched a new section on its official website that publicly criticizes the media and journalists, accusing them of distorting coverage and "bias."

Since being reelected as US president, Donald Trump has already achieved several high-profile legal victories against major US media companies. He previously filed lawsuits against The New York Times, CBS, ABC, and the publisher of The Wall Street Journal over allegedly distorted reporting of his words and facts.

Incidentally, a US court recently closed the last criminal case against Trump. It was related to election interference when he attempted to overturn his defeat in a state during the 2020 election.