New court documents reveal that the BBC is taking formal legal steps to have former President Donald Trump’s massive $10 billion defamation lawsuit dismissed. The case stems from a controversial 2024 episode of Panorama, which drew widespread attention for its portrayal of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech.
The episode edited together portions of Trump’s speech, showing him saying: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol… and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” Critics argued that the edit suggested Trump was encouraging the Capitol riot. In response, Trump filed a lawsuit claiming the splicing of his words was “false and defamatory,” seeking damages totaling $10 billion (£7.5 billion).
According to documents filed late Monday (January 12), the BBC plans to submit a motion to dismiss the case. The broadcaster argues that the Florida court where Trump filed the lawsuit lacks “personal jurisdiction” over them, that the venue is “improper,” and that Trump has “failed to state a claim” under U.S. law.
The BBC also points out that Panorama was neither created, produced, nor broadcast in Florida. While Trump claimed the episode was available on the streaming service BritBox, the BBC says this is not the case. Furthermore, the broadcaster argues that Trump has not plausibly alleged that the BBC acted with “actual malice,” a requirement for public officials pursuing defamation claims in the United States. The motion requests that all discovery the pre-trial process where parties exchange information be paused until the court rules on the dismissal.
If the case proceeds, trial proceedings would not begin until 2027. The BBC has previously apologized for the edit, calling it an “error of judgment,” but maintains that Trump’s legal claim lacks merit.
Trump’s legal team, however, insists the episode was a deliberate attack on him, saying in a statement: “The BBC has a long pattern of deceiving its audience in coverage of President Trump, all in service of its own leftist political agenda. President Trump’s lawsuit is holding the BBC accountable for its defamation and reckless election interference, just as he has held other mainstream media outlets responsible.”
The controversy also led to leadership changes at the BBC. Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News head Deborah Turness both resigned following the incident. Davie acknowledged that “some mistakes were made” and said he needed to “take ultimate responsibility” for the editorial lapse.
Representatives for the BBC have been contacted for further comment.
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