Trump Says He Will Sue BBC For Up To $5 Billion

President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue the BBC, claiming that its Panorama programme manipulated his January 6, 2021 speech through selective editing. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he would file suit “probably next week”, demanding between $1 billion and $5 billion in damages.

The BBC has apologised, acknowledging that its edited version “unintentionally conveyed the false impression” that Trump was advocating violence. However, the corporation has refused to pay compensation.

The controversy stems from a Panorama documentary titled “Trump: A Second Chance?”, which aired in October 2024. According to a leaked internal memo from Michael Prescott, who previously advised BBC editorial standards, the edited footage was “completely misleading.” Prescott criticised how comments made nearly an hour apart were spliced together, distorting Trump’s original remarks.

The dispute comes at a tumultuous time for the BBC, which is also dealing with the recent departures of its Director‑General, Tim Davie, and its News Chief, Deborah Turness — both resignations linked to the fallout from the Panorama episode. Trump told reporters he would reach out to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the weekend, after the prime minister reportedly tried to contact him about the matter.