BBC Fights Back Against Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

In a significant legal battle, the BBC is seeking to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stems from the editing of a speech Trump delivered on January 6, 2021, just before the Capitol riots. The BBC contends that the court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump's claims are unfounded. This controversy has already led to high-profile resignations within the BBC. As the case unfolds, a trial date has been proposed for 2027. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 13, 2026, 17:01 IST

BBC Seeks Dismissal of Trump's Massive Lawsuit

London: The BBC is preparing to request that a court dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump against the broadcaster, according to court documents.

In December, Trump initiated legal action concerning the editing of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021. The lawsuit, lodged in a Florida court, demands $5 billion for defamation and another $5 billion for unfair trade practices.

This speech occurred just before a group of Trump supporters breached the US Capitol while Congress was set to confirm Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, which Trump has falsely claimed was fraudulent.

The BBC aired a documentary titled "Trump: A Second Chance?" shortly before the 2024 US presidential election, which combined three quotes from two segments of Trump's 2021 speech, making it seem as if he was urging his supporters to march and "fight like hell." Notably, the edited version omitted Trump's call for peaceful demonstration.

While the BBC has expressed regret over the editing of the January 6 speech, it firmly denies any defamation claims. This controversy has led to the resignation of the BBC's top executive and its head of news.

Documents submitted to Florida's Southern District court indicate that the BBC plans to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction, the venue is inappropriate, and Trump has not adequately stated a claim.

The BBC's legal team will contend that the documentary was neither created nor broadcast in Florida, and Trump's assertion that it was available on the streaming service BritBox in the US is incorrect.

Additionally, they will argue that Trump has not convincingly demonstrated that the BBC acted with malice in airing the documentary.

The BBC is requesting the court to pause all other pretrial discovery processes while awaiting a decision on the dismissal motion, as this process could compel the broadcaster to produce extensive emails and documents related to its coverage of Trump.

Should the case proceed, a trial date has been tentatively set for 2027.

"As we have stated before, we will be defending this case," the BBC affirmed in a statement on Tuesday.