Miami, Florida – December 16, 2025 – President Donald Trump has launched a massive $10 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), claiming the network deliberately manipulated footage from his January 6, 2021, speech to suggest he incited violence at the U.S. Capitol falsely.
The complaint, filed on Monday in federal court in Miami, accuses the BBC of splicing together non-consecutive clips from Trump’s address at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., to create a misleading narrative. According to the suit, this edited version aired in a 2024 episode of the BBC’s investigative program Panorama, portraying Trump as directly calling for the riot that unfolded later that day.
Trump’s legal team argues that the edit was not an innocent mistake but a calculated effort to damage his reputation. They point to an internal BBC memo that later described the editing decision as an “error of judgment.” In response to the backlash, the BBC issued public apologies, pulled the program from its platforms, and saw the resignations of several top executives involved in its production.
The lawsuit seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation, alleging the broadcast caused irreparable harm to Trump’s public image and political standing. An additional $5 billion is demanded under Florida’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) laws, which Trump’s attorneys claim apply due to the alleged malicious intent behind the edit. “This was a blatant attempt to rewrite history and smear President Trump,” a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team stated in a press release accompanying the filing.
The BBC has pushed back against the claims, denying any malice in the editing process. In a statement released shortly after the suit was filed, the network questioned the U.S. court’s jurisdiction over a British media organization and dismissed the damage claims as “exaggerated and unsubstantiated.” The BBC emphasized its commitment to journalistic integrity and noted that the internal review and subsequent actions were taken voluntarily to address concerns.
This legal battle comes amid ongoing debates about media accountability and the portrayal of the January 6 events. Trump, who has frequently clashed with news outlets over coverage of his presidency and the Capitol riot, has pursued similar defamation suits in the past, though outcomes have varied. Legal experts suggest the case could hinge on proving actual malice under U.S. defamation standards, particularly given the BBC’s admissions and corrective measures.
As of the latest update, approximately 43 minutes ago, neither side has indicated plans for settlement discussions. The case is expected to draw international attention, potentially testing the boundaries of free speech, cross-border journalism, and high-stakes libel claims.
