British broadcaster says it will defend itself against $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Trump

Dec. 16, 2025

The BBC had previously apologised for the editing error and has disputed any claim for defamation. The editing error came to light following the publication of references to an internal memorandum alleging editorial bias at the British broadcaster. The row led to the resignations of two heads at the BBC. U.S. President Donald J. Trump (R) has established a pattern of extracting large settlements from the media in the face of litigation or legal demands.

Further Reading :

• BBC says it will defend Trump defamation lawsuit over Panorama speech edit [BBC]
  Dec. 16, 2025 — An internal BBC memo leaked in November criticised how the speech was edited, and led to the resignations of the corporation's director general, Tim Davie, and head of news, Deborah Turness.
• Trump files $10B defamation lawsuit against the BBC over editing of his Jan. 6 speech in documentary [CBS News]
  Dec. 16, 2025 — President Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC on Monday over a documentary that spliced parts of his Jan. 6, 2021, speech on the Ellipse.
• Exclusive: BBC doctored Trump speech, internal report reveals [The Telegraph]
  Nov. 3, 2025 — The BBC doctored a Donald Trump speech by making him appear to encourage the Capitol Hill riot, according to an internal whistleblowing memo seen by The Telegraph.

Source Documents :

• Trump v. British Broadcasting Corporation, et al. : Alejandro Brito
  The BBC has reported that, "Trump accused the broadcaster of defamation and of violating a trade practices law, according to court documents filed in Florida."

Key Words :

• BBC
• Deborah Turness
• Donald J Trump
• Timothy D. Davie