BBC Accused of Repeated Trump Speech Manipulation
The BBC stands accused of doctoring footage of a Donald Trump speech on Newsnight two years before a similar editing controversy emerged in a Panorama documentary. The revelation has plunged the corporation into deeper crisis following the resignation of Director-General Tim Davie.
The Original Newsnight Controversy
Footage from President Trump's January 6, 2021 speech was edited in a manner that appeared to show him directly inciting supporters to storm the Capitol building. This edited clip aired during a Newsnight episode on June 9, 2022, featuring coverage of Senate committee hearings investigating the riots.
The controversial edit made it seem as though Trump urged his followers to 'walk down to the Capitol' and immediately follow this with 'fight like hell'. In reality, these statements occurred approximately 50 minutes apart during his actual address to supporters.
Internal Concerns Dismissed
According to reports, concerns about the misleading nature of the Newsnight footage were raised internally during an editorial meeting the day after broadcast. However, these discussions were reportedly shut down without proper resolution.
The situation escalated when former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, appearing live on the same Newsnight episode, directly challenged the editing. Mulvaney pointed out that the programme had 'spliced together' different parts of Trump's speech, creating a false impression of consecutive statements.
Panorama Repeats the Pattern
Remarkably, the same editing technique reappeared in a BBC Panorama documentary aired in December 2024, more than two years after the initial Newsnight incident. This repetition has raised serious questions about editorial standards and oversight within the organisation.
The timing of these revelations compounds the BBC's difficulties, coming shortly after Director-General Tim Davie's dramatic resignation on Sunday. Chief Executive of News Deborah Turness also departed alongside Davie following criticism that viewers had been misled by the Panorama footage.
Political and Legal Fallout
Donald Trump responded to the developments by describing the BBC as 'corrupt' while praising Davie as 'very honest'. The former president has given the broadcaster until Friday to apologise, issue a retraction, and provide compensation for what he claims is 'harm caused'.
Trump's legal team has threatened the BBC with a $1 billion lawsuit, alleging widespread dissemination of fabricated statements that have caused 'overwhelming financial and reputational harm'. The broadcaster has acknowledged receiving the legal letter and stated it will 'review and respond directly in due course'.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer entered the fray during PMQs, warning that the BBC should 'get their house in order'. While expressing support for a 'strong and independent BBC', Starmer emphasised the need for the corporation to 'uphold the highest standards and correct errors quickly'.
The scandal emerged following the leak of an internal memo from former standards adviser Michael Prescott, which outlined multiple editorial failings across the BBC's coverage of Trump, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and transgender rights. The corporation has stated it is 'looking into' these concerns while maintaining it holds itself to 'the highest editorial standards'.
