Donald Trump Takes BBC to Court With Massive $10 Billion Defamation Suit
Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion, alleging a documentary edited his Capitol speech to mislead voters.
U.S. President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit seeking up to $10 billion in damages from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on December 15, 2025, in federal court in Miami. The suit alleges defamation and violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act over the BBC's editing of Trump's January 6, 2021, speech in a 2024 Panorama documentary titled "Trump: A Second Chance?" The editing spliced sections nearly an hour apart, creating the impression that Trump directly urged supporters to violently storm the Capitol.
The lawsuit claims the BBC "intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively" doctored the footage, omitting calls for peaceful protest and making it appear Trump said he would join supporters in fighting at the Capitol. Trump's legal team described the broadcast, aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as an attempt to interfere in the election outcome. Trump had previously suggested the edits might involve AI manipulation.
The controversy escalated in November 2025 after a leaked internal memo highlighted the misleading edit, prompting resignations of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news executive Deborah Turness. BBC Chairman Samir Shah issued a personal apology to Trump, acknowledging an "error of judgement" that gave a mistaken impression of incitement, though the broadcaster has contested defamation claims.
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The documentary combined phrases like "We're going to walk down to the Capitol" with later remarks such as "fight like hell", excluding Trump's urging supporters to protest "peacefully and patriotically". The BBC admitted the edit was misleading but maintained it was not intended to defame.
This action represents Trump's latest legal challenge against media organisations, following previous suits that resulted in settlements. The case raises questions about international jurisdiction, editorial standards in public broadcasting, and protections for foreign media under U.S. law.
As the suit proceeds, it highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and global media outlets, with potential implications for cross-border defamation litigation and journalistic practices in covering polarising political figures.
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