Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC
The BBC has announced that the disputed documentary will not be rebroadcast on any platform.
WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), accusing the broadcaster of misrepresenting his January 6, 2021 speech.
According to the lawsuit, Trump alleges that the BBC edited clips of his speech in a misleading manner, creating the impression that he directly incited his supporters to attack the US Capitol. The complaint states that the BBC highlighted portions in which Trump urged supporters to march toward the Capitol and used the phrase “fight like hell,” while omitting his calls for peaceful protest.
The BBC has already issued an apology over the matter, admitting that editorial mistakes were made which may have given viewers a misleading impression. However, the broadcaster maintains that the lawsuit lacks legal merit.
The controversial clip was part of a documentary aired on BBC’s flagship program Panorama ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. Following the broadcast, the BBC faced strong criticism, and the controversy reportedly led to the resignation of two senior BBC officials.
The BBC has announced that the disputed documentary will not be rebroadcast on any platform. British legal experts note that since the BBC is funded by public license fees, any potential damages could become a politically sensitive issue.
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Trump’s lawyers argue that the edited footage caused serious harm to his reputation and financial standing. Under US law, Trump would need to prove that the BBC knowingly or recklessly spread false information to win the case.
It is worth recalling that on January 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
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