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Donald Trump has said he still intends to sue the BBC for “between $1bn and $5bn”, despite their apology over an edit of his speech.
Last week, reports emerged that an episode of Panorama that aired in 2024 had spliced together comments from Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech at the US Capitol that some believed made it appear he had actively encouraged the attacks on US Congress on the same day.
The BBC later issued a formal apology to Trump, admitting that the edits gave “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action”, and the controversy led to the shock resignation of the BBC Director General Tim Davie and the BBC News CEO Deborah Turness last Sunday (November 9).
Trump’s lawyers had initially threatened to sue the BBC for $1billion (£759million) in damages unless they issued a retraction, an apology and compensated him, but after issuing the apology, the corporation said they “strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim”.
Now, however, Trump has confirmed that he still intends to sue the broadcaster. Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One yesterday (November 14), he said: “We’ll sue them for anywhere between $1bn [£759million] and $5bn, probably sometime next week.”
“I think I have to do it,” he added. “They cheated. They changed the words coming out of my mouth.” Trump also said he plans to speak to Prime Minister Keir Starmer this weekend about the issue.
The BBC have argued that the legal charges against them should not apply because the Panorama show was not broadcast in the US and it did not harm Trump’s 2024 election campaign. They also said the clip was not designed to mislead, but was edited to shorten a longer speech.
In his resignation letter, Davie said: “In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.”
“Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.
“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
In July, Paramount Global agreed to pay Trump $16million (£13.5million) to settle a legal dispute over the edit of a 60 Minutes interview with his presidential opponent Kamala Harris.
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