US President Donald Trump has issued a threat of a $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC, alleging that the editing of a speech he delivered prior to the 2021 US Capitol riots was defamatory and malicious. The warning, as per a letter obtained by AFP, gives the British broadcaster until Friday to retract the documentary, issue an apology, and provide appropriate compensation to Trump for the perceived harm caused.
Should the BBC fail to comply, the letter states that President Trump will pursue legal action seeking no less than $1 billion in damages. The director general of the BBC resigned amidst the controversy, following claims that a documentary aired by its Panorama program had misrepresented Trump’s speech.
The BBC, in response, has acknowledged receipt of Trump’s legal team’s letter and publicly apologized for the editing. The letter from Trump’s lawyers accused the BBC of portraying a false and disparaging impression of his speech, leading to financial and reputational harm for the former president.
Trump’s legal team confirmed sending the letter to the BBC but refrained from providing further details. They accused the BBC of intentional and deceitful editing to influence the presidential election, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to holding accountable those spreading falsehoods and fake news.
President Trump has faced criticism for pursuing multiple lawsuits against US media outlets in the past, including ABC, CBS, and the New York Times.