By Gloria Nosa
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for a staggering $1 billion, accusing the network of deliberately editing one of his speeches to distort his message and “interfere in the presidential election.”
In a legal letter addressed to BBC Chairman Samir Shah, Trump’s lawyer Alejandro Brito said the broadcaster’s Panorama program “intentionally removed” a portion of the President’s speech where he called for peaceful demonstrations during the January 6 Capitol protest. The alleged manipulation, according to Trump’s team, was an attempt to damage his image globally.
The letter stated:
“President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 in damages.”
Brito claimed the edited version was broadcast and shared widely across digital platforms, reaching millions and causing the President “severe reputational and financial harm.”
Trump’s team issued three demands to the BBC:
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A full public retraction of the report,
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A formal apology, and
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“Appropriate compensation” for the damage caused — all by the end of the week.
The controversy erupted after reports revealed that BBC producers had cut out key portions of Trump’s remarks from the Panorama documentary, including his call for supporters to “demonstrate peacefully.” The fallout has been enormous — prompting the resignations of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness.
In response, BBC Chairman Samir Shah has apologized to President Trump and even expressed willingness to meet him in person. “He’s a litigious fellow,” Shah admitted, “so we should be prepared for all outcomes.”
Trump fired back at the BBC, describing the organization as “corrupt” and accusing its former executives of being “very dishonest people.” A spokesperson for his legal team told NBC that “the BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary to interfere in the Presidential Election.”
The BBC said in a brief statement:
“We have received the letter from President Trump’s legal team and will respond directly in due course.”
Meanwhile, internal BBC tension has grown after a leaked memo by former adviser Michael Prescott accused top executives of editorial bias and cover-ups. Chairman Shah, however, defended the broadcaster, insisting that while “mistakes were made,” claims that the BBC tried to bury them were “simply not true.”
If Trump proceeds with the lawsuit, it could become one of the largest defamation battles ever brought against a global news organization — and a major flashpoint in the ongoing war between the Trump administration and mainstream media.
