Trump Threatens $1 Billion Lawsuit as BBC Apologizes for Misleading Edit in Capitol Riot Documentary
US President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for at least $1 billion after the broadcaster admitted to airing an edited clip of one of his speeches that appeared to encourage “violent action” ahead of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
In a legal letter seen by AFP, Trump’s lawyers demanded that the BBC retract the documentary containing the edited remarks, issue a full public apology, and provide compensation for what they described as “false, defamatory and inflammatory” damage to the president’s reputation. The broadcaster has until Friday to comply, according to the letter.
“If the BBC does not take these steps, President Trump will have no alternative but to enforce his legal rights, including through legal action seeking no less than $1,000,000,000 in damages,” the letter stated, ending with a warning for the corporation to “govern itself accordingly.”
The controversy centers on a BBC Panorama documentary aired last year, which included a selectively edited portion of Trump’s speech outside the White House before his supporters stormed the US Capitol. Trump’s team says the edit created the impression he directly encouraged violence and urged the crowd to march on Congress.
The backlash prompted the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness on Sunday. In a statement, the broadcaster acknowledged the edit was a mistake, apologized publicly, and said it would review the matter in detail.
BBC chairman Samir Shah, in a letter to UK lawmakers, said the organization accepted that the edit “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action,” calling the decision a “serious error of judgement.” He also pledged to tighten editorial oversight.
Trump, who has previously accused major US media outlets of spreading “fake news,” celebrated the resignations and described the BBC as “corrupt” and “dishonest.” His legal team said the former president “will continue to hold accountable those who engage in deception.”
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office stressed the importance of the BBC in countering misinformation, but maintained the broadcaster must act swiftly to correct errors. The dispute comes as the UK government prepares to review the BBC’s governing charter, which expires in 2027.
The BBC, which is funded through a compulsory television license fee, has faced mounting criticism over editorial impartiality and recent coverage decisions. The corporation has also apologized in separate cases this year for misleading reporting and editorial oversight failures.
