Undeterred by a recent apology from the BBC, former President Donald Trump is preparing to sue the British broadcaster for up to $5 billion. The legal challenge targets a documentary that allegedly manipulated his words from a January 6, 2021 speech, creating a false impression of his intentions.
“We have to do it, they’ve even admitted that they cheated,” Trump stated, emphasizing his resolve to proceed with the lawsuit. He indicated that legal proceedings could commence as early as the following week. The core of the dispute lies in a ‘Panorama’ program from October 2024, which featured edited excerpts of Trump’s address to supporters. The broadcast juxtaposed phrases such as “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol” with “And we fight. We fight like hell,” suggesting a direct incitement to violence.
The BBC has acknowledged that the editing unintentionally gave the “mistaken impression” of a single, continuous statement calling for violent action. The broadcaster’s chair issued a personal apology to Trump, and the documentary segment will not be re-aired. Nevertheless, the BBC maintains that there is no legal basis for a defamation claim and has rejected requests for monetary damages. Trump views the lawsuit as a crucial measure to uphold accuracy and prevent similar journalistic misconduct against others.