Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Nov 11: US President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation after it aired an edited version of his 2021 speech that allegedly implied he called for violence ahead of the January 6 Capitol riots.
In a letter seen by AFP, Trump’s legal team gave the BBC until Friday to retract the documentary, issue a full public apology, and “appropriately compensate” him for damages. “If the BBC does not comply, President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights... including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 in damages,” the letter stated, ending with the warning: “The BBC is on notice. PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.”
The controversy erupted after a BBC Panorama documentary was accused of editing parts of Trump’s speech outside the White House in a way that appeared to show him urging supporters to “fight like hell” and march to the Capitol. His lawyers claimed the edit created a “false, defamatory, malicious, and inflammatory” portrayal of the former president’s words.
The BBC apologised publicly, admitting that “the editing of Trump’s speech did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.” Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness resigned Sunday amid the growing backlash.
BBC chairman Samir Shah, in a letter to MPs, said the broadcaster accepted the error of judgment and promised internal oversight reforms. “The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement,” he wrote.
Trump celebrated the resignations, accusing BBC journalists of being “corrupt” and “dishonest.” His press secretary also branded the organisation as “100-percent fake news.”
The BBC said it is “reviewing” Trump’s legal letter and reiterated its apology. However, the broadcaster continues to face scrutiny over allegations of bias and editorial failures. Earlier this year, it apologised for “serious flaws” in a Gaza war documentary deemed “materially misleading” by the UK’s media watchdog.
The latest crisis has reignited debate over the BBC’s impartiality as the UK government prepares to review its charter, which governs its funding and operations until 2027. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman defended the broadcaster’s public role, saying, “The BBC has a vital role in an age of disinformation. It’s important that it acts swiftly to maintain trust and correct mistakes when they occur.”
Trump’s lawsuit threat marks his latest confrontation with major media houses, having previously targeted ABC, CBS, and The New York Times over coverage he claimed was false or politically motivated.