The BBC has requested dismissal of Donald Trump’s lawsuit in U.S. court, arguing that the Republican’s re-election to the presidency proves that the alleged defamation did not damage his reputation. The American president is seeking $10 billion in damages because the British public broadcaster edited one of his speeches in a 2024 documentary. Trump claims the BBC defamed him by editing his January 6, 2021 speech in a way that made it appear he was directing his supporters to attack Congress. The documentary aired in 2024, shortly before the presidential election, which Trump won.
The lawsuit, filed in Florida, also alleges that the BBC violated state law prohibiting unfair and deceptive commercial practices. The British broadcaster apologized to Trump for the speech editing but maintains the lawsuit should be dismissed, given that the documentary never aired in Florida—and therefore its courts lack jurisdiction over the matter—nor in any other U.S. state. It is also not available on any American platform or on the internet.
Trump and the BBC’s dismissal request
Furthermore, according to the BBC’s argument, Trump cannot prove that, in an hour-long documentary, this 12-second excerpt, which Trump considers defamatory, was intended to create false impressions. “Indeed, nothing better reflects how President Trump’s supporters understood his comments than their own statements: more than 100 defendants charged with January 6-related crimes told courts they interpreted President Trump’s words as a call to action,” the document states.
If the BBC’s request for dismissal is not granted, the trial will be held in February 2027.
The American president has previously threatened lawsuits against many U.S. news outlets, and some of them agreed to compensate him with significant amounts to end their legal troubles.
