Trump to Sue BBC for Up to $5 Billion Over Edited January 6 Speech Despite Network’s Apology

$5 billion damages filed against BBC / Photo File (Financial Times)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he will file a lawsuit next week seeking $1 to $5 billion in damages against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), accusing the network of deliberately misediting his January 6, 2021 speech.

The BBC admitted on Thursday that portions of Trump’s speech had been incorrectly edited in a recent documentary and issued an apology, including a personal letter from the BBC chairman to the White House. However, the broadcaster rejected the basis of any legal claim, stating that the mistake, though serious, “does not constitute grounds for a lawsuit.”

The controversy has triggered a crisis within the BBC, leading to the resignation of two senior executives — Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness — as the organization faces heightened scrutiny over editorial practices.

Trump’s legal team initially gave the BBC 24 hours to retract the documentary, issue a public apology, and pay at least $1 billion in damages. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump alleged that the BBC “knowingly deceived” the public by splicing separate parts of his speech together to create the impression that he was urging supporters to riot.

The BBC maintains that the issue was an editing error, not intentional manipulation, but has refused to rebroadcast the corrected documentary. Trump, rejecting the apology, called the edit “malicious and highly misleading,” comparing it to election interference. He claimed the documentary combined remarks that were nearly an hour apart, making him appear as though he was inciting violence.

The fallout continues to grow. The BBC is now investigating additional complaints about editorial misconduct, while political leaders in the UK have reacted sharply.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the broadcaster clearly needs “reforms,” emphasizing the increasing importance of impartial journalism. Former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, however, warned that if the BBC is forced to pay Trump damages using licence-fee revenue, the public backlash could be severe.

The escalating dispute marks one of the most significant legal threats the BBC has faced in recent years and comes at a time when global scrutiny of media accuracy is at an all-time high.