Former US President Donald Trump launched a fresh and vehement broadside against the BBC last night, branding the broadcaster as 'crooked' and demanding it be 'taught a lesson'. His incendiary comments came as the corporation unveiled its new director-general, former Google executive Matt Brittin, setting the stage for a contentious legal and public relations battle.
Trump's Accusations and Legal Threat
Speaking at a Republican Congressional fundraising dinner in Washington DC, Trump accused the BBC of editing a Panorama documentary to put 'horrible' words in his mouth that he never said. He claimed the broadcaster had 'admitted they were guilty' in the context of his $10 billion (£7.5 billion) lawsuit, which alleges the programme falsely gave the impression he encouraged supporters to storm the Capitol building in 2021.
'They put words in my mouth, sentences and paragraphs in my mouth that were so horrible,' Trump told supporters. 'So we brought a suit against them, and they admitted they were guilty. Can you believe that's how crooked they are? Now it's only a question of how much do I get. No, they have to be taught a lesson, because they're crooked. They're crooked people.'
Background of the Panorama Controversy
The documentary in question, broadcast in 2024, faced severe criticism for its editing, which was said to suggest Trump directly called for violent action after losing the election to Joe Biden. This led to the resignation of then director-general Tim Davie and a public apology from BBC chairman Samir Shah, who acknowledged an 'error of judgment' and that the editing created 'the impression of a direct call for violent action'.
However, the BBC has since filed a motion to dismiss the Florida lawsuit, warning of a 'chilling effect' on 'robust reporting on public figures and events'. The corporation also challenges the jurisdiction of a Florida court, noting the programme was never aired in the state or the US.
New BBC Leadership Under Matt Brittin
Trump's outburst coincided with the announcement of Matt Brittin as the new BBC director-general, set to take over on May 18. Brittin, a 57-year-old former head of Google's EMEA region, will face immediate pressure from the ongoing lawsuit, one of the most pressing issues in his in-tray.
His appointment comes with a salary of £565,000, matching that of his predecessor. A Cambridge alumnus and former Olympic rower who won a bronze medal at the 1989 World Rowing Championships, Brittin was made a CBE this year for services to technology and digital skills. He has stated he will appoint a deputy director-general to assist in steering the corporation through these turbulent times.
Political Context and Broader Implications
Trump's speech was delivered ahead of the November midterm elections, where Republicans risk losing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. By highlighting compensation he claims to have secured from other news outlets, Trump framed the BBC lawsuit as part of a broader campaign against media organisations he deems 'corrupt'.
'It's actually pretty good. You know, if you bring lawsuits against these guys, they're so corrupt that they pay it,' he remarked, though the BBC case remains undetermined.
The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment on Trump's latest remarks, but no response has been disclosed at this time. As Brittin prepares to assume leadership, the BBC must navigate not only this high-stakes legal battle but also the intense scrutiny from one of the world's most influential political figures.
