The BBC has announced plans to file a motion to dismiss a $10 billion defamation lawsuit initiated by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stems from a documentary aired on the BBC’s “Panorama” program, which included edited segments of Trump’s speech preceding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. According to court documents submitted on Monday, the BBC argues that the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the case and that Trump’s claims of damages are unfounded.
In the lawsuit filed last month in the Southern District of Florida, Trump’s legal team alleges one count of defamation and another count of violating Florida trade practices laws. They seek $5 billion in damages for each count, totaling $10 billion. The complaint, which spans 33 pages, accuses the BBC of portraying a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction” of Trump in the documentary, which was broadcast just a week before the 2024 U.S. election.
The documentary reportedly focused on Trump’s actions and rhetoric leading up to the Capitol riots. Trump’s attorneys contend that the BBC misled viewers by splicing together two clips from his speech delivered to supporters in Washington, D.C., before the riots began. They claim that the two clips, taken 55 minutes apart, omitted Trump’s call for peace, significantly altering the context of his message.
The BBC’s legal team has responded by asserting that the Florida court should dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that the documentary was neither produced nor aired in Florida. They also argue that the content did not defame Trump, noting that he was re-elected after the documentary’s release in the UK and secured a decisive victory in Florida.
Additionally, the BBC contests Trump’s claim that the documentary was available in the United States through the streaming service BritBox. Legal representatives from the firm Ballard Spahr, which is representing the BBC, stated that the documentary is not available on the platform, contradicting Trump’s assertions.
In a statement regarding the case, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that the organization intends to defend against the lawsuit but declined to comment further on ongoing legal proceedings. The BBC had previously issued an apology to Trump in November, acknowledging that the edited soundbite created a “mistaken impression” of his statement. Despite this, the BBC maintains that there is no basis for a defamation claim.
The outcome of this legal dispute could have implications not only for Trump but also for media organizations navigating the complexities of reporting on public figures. The legal proceedings are set to unfold in the coming months, as both parties prepare their arguments in court.
