Trump Plans $1 Billion Lawsuit Against BBC After Documentary Apology
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against the BBC for an estimated amount ranging from $1 billion to $5 billion. This decision follows a recent apology from the broadcaster regarding a documentary that Trump’s legal team claims is defamatory. Trump stated that he plans to initiate the lawsuit “probably sometime next week.”
During a press conference, Trump emphasized the necessity of legal action, claiming, “I think I have to do it. They’ve even admitted that they cheated … They cheated, they changed the words coming out of my mouth.” The controversy stems from an editing error in the BBC’s documentary titled “Trump: A Second Chance?,” which aired in October 2024. The BBC issued an apology on Thursday, acknowledging “the manner in which the video clip was edited” and expressing sincere regret for the oversight.
In an interview with UK network GB News, Trump acknowledged the apology, referring to the correspondence as a “nice letter.” He remarked, “They wrote me a nice letter,” but further questioned the sincerity of the apology, stating, “If it’s unintentional, you don’t apologize.”
Despite the apology, Trump has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the situation, characterizing it as “egregious.” He indicated that the lawsuit serves a dual purpose: to seek justice and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. “If you don’t do it, you don’t stop it from happening again with other people,” he explained. Trump expressed a desire to understand the motivations behind the BBC’s editing choices.
The issue arose from an episode of the TV show Panorama, where segments of Trump’s speech delivered on January 6, the day of the storming of the US Capitol, were reportedly edited together. This editing created the impression that Trump had urged the crowd to accompany him to the Capitol and “fight like hell.” Trump countered this narrative, asserting, “I made a beautiful statement, and they made it into a not beautiful statement.”
Prior to the BBC’s apology, Trump had issued an ultimatum, threatening legal action unless the broadcaster retracted the documentary and issued a formal apology for what his legal team described as “overwhelming financial and reputational harm.” He had previously stated that he wanted the BBC to “appropriately compensate” him for the damages caused.
In response to Trump’s claims, a spokesperson for the BBC reiterated that the organization does not intend to rebroadcast the documentary on any of its platforms. The spokesperson firmly rejected Trump’s allegations of defamation, insisting, “We strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim.”
This unfolding situation highlights the ongoing tensions between major media organizations and public figures, especially in the context of controversial narratives and public perception. As legal proceedings seem imminent, the implications for both Trump and the BBC remain to be fully realized.
