Former US president sues BBC for $5bn, accusing it of defamation over a panorama documentary edit
Donald Trump has launched a $5bn (£3.7bn) defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of deliberately editing one of his most controversial speeches in a way that damaged his reputation.
Court documents filed in Florida confirm that the former US president is suing the BBC over an edit of his speech delivered on 6 January 2021, shortly before supporters stormed the US Capitol. The edited footage appeared in a Panorama documentary, which Trump now claims misrepresented his words and intentions.
According to the legal filing, Trump alleges that the BBC acted “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively” by altering the speech. His lawyers argue that the edit stripped context from his remarks and portrayed him in a false and defamatory light. They also accuse the broadcaster of breaching a trade practices law alongside defamation.
Embed from Getty Images
The lawsuit marks a dramatic escalation in a dispute that has been simmering for weeks. Last month, the BBC issued an apology to Trump over the edit included in the Panorama programme. However, the corporation firmly rejected his demand for financial compensation and disputed the claim that the edit amounted to defamation.
In its earlier response, the BBC said it did not accept that there was any legal foundation for a defamation case. While acknowledging the edit, the broadcaster maintained that its journalism was carried out in good faith and in line with editorial standards.
Trump’s legal team takes a very different view. In the court filing, they argue that the edit was not a minor error or an oversight, but a calculated decision that caused serious reputational harm. They claim the programme amplified a damaging narrative about Trump at a time when scrutiny of his actions surrounding 6 January remains intense.
The BBC has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit itself. As a publicly funded broadcaster with a global audience, any high-value legal action carries significant implications, both financially and reputationally.
The case has already drawn attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Trump has long accused major media organisations of unfair treatment and bias, frequently clashing with journalists during his presidency and beyond. This lawsuit fits into a broader pattern of legal and rhetorical attacks on news outlets he believes have misrepresented him.
The 6 January 2021 speech remains one of the most examined moments of Trump’s political career. It has been repeatedly referenced in investigations, documentaries and legal proceedings. Trump has consistently denied responsibility for the violence that followed and has argued that his words were taken out of context.
By filing the lawsuit in Florida, Trump has chosen a jurisdiction that has featured prominently in several of his recent legal actions. The $5bn figure underscores the scale of the claim and the seriousness with which his legal team is pursuing the case.
Legal experts note that defamation cases involving media organisations and public figures face a high bar, particularly in the United States, where plaintiffs must show actual malice. Whether Trump can meet that threshold will be central to how the case unfolds.
For now, the lawsuit adds another chapter to the long-running conflict between Donald Trump and the media. As the BBC considers its response and the court process begins, the case is likely to draw sustained attention and scrutiny in the months ahead.