Former US President Donald Trump has initiated a colossal $10 billion legal action against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), following revelations that the broadcaster doctored his speech in an episode of its flagship Panorama programme.
The Core of the Legal Claim
The lawsuit, formally lodged in the Southern District of Florida, levels two serious charges against the public service broadcaster. The first is a count of defamation, while the second accuses the BBC of violating a specific Florida trade practices law. Trump's legal representatives are pursuing $5 billion in damages for each count, bringing the total staggering claim to ten billion dollars.
This legal move follows a direct warning from Trump earlier on Monday, where he stated his intention to file a libel suit "probably this afternoon or tomorrow evening." He publicly accused the corporation of fabricating his words, speculating, "I'm suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth… I guess they used AI or something."
A Dispute Rooted in January 6 Coverage
The controversy stems from a Panorama documentary that featured an edited version of a speech Trump delivered on January 6, 2021—the day his supporters stormed the US Capitol. A month prior to filing, Trump vehemently criticised the broadcaster for this editing and issued an ultimatum. He vowed to sue unless he received a full retraction, a profound apology, and financial compensation for what he deemed misleading of the programme's audience.
In response, the BBC did send a personal apology to Trump in November. However, the corporation maintained that there was no legal basis for a lawsuit over a documentary his lawyers labelled defamatory and subsequently refused any monetary compensation. The BBC acknowledged the splicing of the speech represented an "error of judgment" but stood firm against his financial demands.
Internal BBC Tensions Surface
The fallout from the episode has caused significant internal strain at the broadcaster. In a letter to staff last month, BBC Chairman Samir Shah referenced "a difficult week," noting the palpable "sadness, anger and frustration" among employees. He conceded it was challenging for the organisation to be at the centre of such intense scrutiny and headlines.
This story is developing rapidly, with further updates expected as the high-stakes legal proceedings unfold.
