Former US President Donald Trump has escalated legal pressure on the BBC, threatening a $1 billion (€865 million) lawsuit over a Panorama documentary alleged to have misrepresented his January 6, 2021, speech.
Trump’s legal team demanded a full retraction of the program by November 14, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action for "no less than $1 billion."
The documentary, titled Trump: A Second Chance?, reportedly spliced excerpts from separate portions of Trump’s speech, creating the impression that he incited the Capitol riot.
The legal threat follows the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Deborah Turness, prompted by internal criticism of the documentary’s editing. BBC Chairman Samir Shah acknowledged the error of judgment, admitting the broadcast gave the impression of a direct call for violence while rejecting claims of systemic bias in the corporation’s reporting.
The Panorama controversy gained wider attention after the Daily Telegraph published excerpts from an internal BBC dossier describing the edit as “completely misleading” and highlighting “serious and systemic problems” in editorial impartiality.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office defended the BBC, asserting that the broadcaster is neither institutionally biased nor corrupt, and noting that the resignations reflect accountability for editorial errors.
Trump’s legal action adds to his history of lawsuits against major media outlets, including ABC, CBS, and The New York Times, reinforcing his aggressive stance toward coverage he deems false or misleading.
The BBC has confirmed it will review Trump’s legal letter and respond directly in due course, while the case continues to stir intense debate over media impartiality, editorial oversight, and the responsibilities of publicly funded broadcasters.
Follow the latest news on Google News
