Trump Threatens Legal Action Against BBC Over Edited Speech

Wed Nov 12 2025 13:25:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue the BBC for $1 billion due to claims that the network misrepresented his January 6 speech in a recent documentary.

In a recent interview, Donald Trump remarked on his intention to file a lawsuit against the BBC, claiming the network's editing of his speech in a Panorama documentary 'defrauded' viewers. His statement follows a demand for a retraction and apology from the BBC, which has acknowledged errors in judgment. The situation has escalated tensions between Trump's camp and the BBC, leading to significant organizational repercussions.

US President Donald Trump has said he has an 'obligation' to sue the BBC over the way a section of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary.

Speaking to Fox News, he asserted that his 6 January 2021 speech had been 'butchered' and accused the BBC of defrauding viewers with the editing of his remarks.

This marks the first time Trump has publicly confronted the issue since his legal team sent a letter to the BBC, demanding $1 billion (£759m) in damages unless the organization issues a retraction, an apology, and compensates him for the alleged harm caused.

A spokesperson for the BBC acknowledged the receipt of Trump's lawyers' letter, stating: 'We are reviewing the letter and will respond directly in due course.'

Earlier, BBC chair Samir Shah had expressed regret over what he termed an 'error of judgement' concerning the way the speech was presented.

Appearing on *The Ingraham Angle*, Trump was asked whether he would pursue the lawsuit, to which he responded that he feels compelled to do so because the organization has publicly acknowledged its mistake.

'They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, and they made it sound radical,' Trump claimed. 'What they did was rather incredible.'

He reiterated his commitment to legal action, asserting that it is essential to hold media accountable for misrepresentation.

According to the letter from Trump's attorneys, a deadline of 22:00 GMT (17:00 EST) on Friday has been set for the BBC to comply with their demands. The BBC confirms it will respond in due course.

The controversy follows the airing of a Panorama documentary just prior to the US presidential election in November 2024, which has since attracted public scrutiny, especially after a leaked internal memo highlighted concerns regarding the documentary's editing. The memo suggested that the edits could lead viewers to believe Trump actively encouraged the January 6 Capitol riot.

Should Trump pursue legal action in Florida, he would need to prove that the BBC's documentary reached viewers in that jurisdiction; however, there has been no evidence thus far indicating the Panorama episode aired in the US.

This incident has led to significant organizational changes within the BBC, with the resignations of key figures following the backlash.

As the situation unfolds, it underscores broader questions of media integrity and accountability in political coverage, particularly in relation to Trump's involvement and rhetoric.