The BBC is moving to dismiss Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit related to a Panorama program, court documents reveal. The program drew backlash in late 2024 for an episode aired in 2021 that seemingly depicted the US President encouraging his supporters to breach the Capitol building.
In the episode, segments of Trump’s speech from January 6, 2021, were edited together to show 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.” Trump is seeking damages of up to $10 billion for what his lawyers deem as a “false and defamatory” portrayal.
The BBC has countered by filing a motion to dismiss, arguing that the Florida court lacks jurisdiction, the venue is incorrect, and Trump has not sufficiently stated a claim. They maintain that the documentary was not created, produced, or broadcast in Florida, despite Trump’s claim that it was available on BritBox.
Furthermore, the BBC asserts that Trump has failed to demonstrate that the documentary was published with “actual malice,” a requirement for defamation suits involving public officials in the US. They have requested a halt to further discovery until a ruling on the motion is made.
If the case proceeds, a trial date in 2027 has been suggested. Trump previously announced his intention to sue the BBC over the incident, accusing them of manipulating his words. The BBC previously apologized for the edit but denied any legal liability.
Trump’s legal team condemned the edit as an attempt to influence the election and criticized the BBC for what they perceive as biased coverage against the President. The fallout from the Panorama edit led to the resignations of the BBC’s director general and the head of BBC News.
Requests for comment from the BBC have been made by PA.