The dispute between former President Donald Trump and the BBC has intensified significantly, with the White House launching fresh criticism against the British broadcaster. This latest escalation centres on the BBC's decision to commission a prominent critic of Mr Trump to deliver its prestigious annual Reith lectures.
A Row Rekindled: From Panorama to the Lectures
The already strained relationship deteriorated further last weekend when BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness resigned. Their departures followed accusations of bias and misleading editing in a documentary about a speech Donald Trump gave on January 6, 2021, before his supporters stormed the US Capitol.
The controversial programme, part of the BBC's Panorama series, was broadcast just days before the 2024 US presidential election. It edited together three quotes from two different sections of Mr Trump's hour-long speech, making it appear as a single, continuous statement where he urged supporters to 'fight like hell'. Crucially, the edit omitted a section where the former president explicitly called for a peaceful demonstration.
In response to the fallout, BBC chairman Samir Shah issued an apology on Monday for an 'error of judgement'. The corporation acknowledged that the editing 'did give the impression of a direct call for violent action'.
Fresh Fury Over Reith Lecturer
Just as the corporation sought to contain the damage from the documentary, a new controversy emerged. The BBC has drawn further ire from the White House for its choice of speaker for the flagship Reith lectures.
Dutch author Rutger Bregman, a fierce critic of Donald Trump, was commissioned for the role. Reports, notably in the Mail, suggest that Mr Bregman used the lecture platform to draw parallels between Trump's America and the rise of fascism in the 1930s.
The White House did not hold back in its condemnation. White House communications director Steven Cheung stated, 'The BBC has been caught red-handed doctoring President Trump's remarks on multiple occasions so it's no surprise that they have commissioned a rabid anti-Trump individual to deliver a lecture.' Mr Bregman's lectures, recorded last month in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and the US, are scheduled to air on Radio 4 from November 25.
Legal Threats and Corporate Defence
Amid the escalating tensions, the legal threat from Donald Trump's camp looms large. The former president's lawyer had previously threatened to file a $1 billion lawsuit for the reputational and financial harm caused by the Panorama documentary, setting a Friday deadline for a response.
While the BBC issued a formal apology, it has stood its ground on key legal points. The corporation stated it had not defamed Mr Trump and rejected the basis for his lawsuit. Furthermore, the BBC confirmed it has no plans to rebroadcast the contentious documentary.
In its defence regarding the Reith lectures, a BBC spokesperson told The Mirror, 'The Reith Lectures have a long tradition of showcasing the leading thinkers from across the political spectrum. The views expressed are always those of the speaker, not the BBC, and they are discussed and challenged after the lecture.' This statement underscores the BBC's commitment to platforming diverse, albeit controversial, viewpoints, even under significant political pressure.
