US President Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion. He says a Panorama documentary wrongly showed his January 6, 2021 speech. The case was filed in a federal court in Florida.
Trump claims the BBC edited his speech to make it look like he encouraged violence at the Capitol. He says he asked for peaceful protests, but the programme cut his words to suggest otherwise.
The lawsuit seeks $5 billion for defamation and another $5 billion for violating Florida’s deceptive trade law. Trump says the documentary, though aired in the UK, was available online in the US. This gives the Florida court jurisdiction.
The programme, called Trump: A Second Chance?, aired in late 2024 before the US presidential election. The BBC admitted it made an “error of judgment” and apologized. But it denies breaking the law or being defamatory.
The controversy previously led to resignations of senior BBC executives. Trump said the broadcaster “put words in my mouth” and acted deliberately.
UK politicians and BBC supporters defend the broadcaster. They say the BBC acted within journalistic rules. Legal experts say Trump must prove the BBC acted with malice to win the case.
The lawsuit highlights tensions between politicians and media. It raises questions about editing speeches and how media should report political events.
The case is now in court. Its outcome could affect international media reporting and defamation laws for political figures.
Also Read: India GDP grows 8.2%, defies “dead” tag
