By Benjamin Christian
US President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for $1 billion, accusing the network of “defamatory and malicious” editing of a speech he delivered shortly before the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
According to a letter obtained by AFP, Trump’s legal team demanded that the BBC retract the documentary, issue a public apology, and provide compensation for alleged damage to his reputation. The letter set a Friday deadline for compliance, warning that failure to act would leave Trump “no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights” through court action.“The BBC is on notice. Please govern yourself accordingly,” the letter stated.
The controversy comes amid the resignation of the BBC’s director general, who stepped down on Sunday following the backlash over the disputed Panorama documentary. The programme reportedly edited Trump’s pre-riot remarks in a way that his lawyers claim was misleading.
In response, the BBC said on Monday that it would review the letter from Trump’s attorneys and issued a public apology for the editing, which it acknowledged fell short of its editorial standards.
Trump’s legal team argued that the edited segment created a “false, defamatory, malicious, disparaging, and inflammatory” portrayal of his remarks at the White House rally before the Capitol attack.“
Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC have been widely disseminated across digital platforms, reaching tens of millions of people worldwide,” the letter said. “Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.”
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team confirmed the letter had been sent, accusing the broadcaster of attempting to interfere in the upcoming US presidential election.
“The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the presidential election,” the spokesperson said. “President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.”
Trump has previously filed lawsuits against several major media organisations, including ABC, CBS, and The New York Times, alleging bias and defamation in their coverage of him.
