The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has said it will vigorously contest a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by United States President Donald Trump over a documentary that edited his January 6, 2021 speech ahead of the US Capitol riot.
In a statement on Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster would defend the case but would make no further comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Miami, seeks damages of at least $5 billion on each of two counts defamation and violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Trump alleges that a BBC documentary aired on its Panorama current affairs programme last year deceptively edited his January 6 speech, making it appear as though he explicitly urged supporters to storm the US Capitol while lawmakers were certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
According to the suit, the edited clip was broadcast shortly before the 2024 presidential election in what Trump describes as a deliberate attempt to interfere with the electoral process.
The BBC has denied the allegations, insisting there is no legal basis for claims of libel or defamation. UK Minister Stephen Kinnock also voiced government support for the broadcaster, saying the BBC was right to “stand firm” against the accusations.
The legal battle comes at a sensitive time for the BBC, as the UK government has launched a review of its Royal Charter, which governs the broadcaster’s funding and operations and is due for renewal in 2027.
The controversy has already had significant consequences within the corporation, with BBC Director-General Tim Davie and senior news executive Deborah Turness resigning following the fallout from the documentary.
While BBC Chairman Samir Shah has issued a letter of apology to Trump, he has maintained that the broadcaster does not accept liability for defamation.
Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC is the latest in a series of legal actions he has taken against media organisations in recent years, several of which have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements.