US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for a staggering $1$ billion to $5$ billion. The legal action stems from a controversial, allegedly edited video broadcast related to his January 6, 2021, speech concerning the Capitol Hill riot.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump confirmed the lawsuit, stating that the BBC’s editing falsely conveyed the impression that he was inciting his supporters to attack the Capitol. His team claims the broadcaster maliciously combined disparate parts of his speech, which were originally delivered nearly an hour apart, making them appear as a continuous, inflammatory address.
The controversy has plunged the BBC into a severe institutional crisis, leading to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness. The BBC admitted the editing was an error and issued an apology, acknowledging the damage done to the organization’s credibility. However, the broadcaster has also maintained that President Trump’s legal claims hold no judicial basis.
President Trump has dismissed the BBC’s apology as insufficient, branding the edited video as “election interference” and a malicious fabrication. The BBC had previously received a legal notice demanding an apology and compensation for defamation.
The US President indicated that he plans to discuss the matter with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, the UK Culture Minister, Lisa Nandy, supported the BBC’s decision to apologize, calling it a necessary step to address the undeniable error.
