President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to sue the BBC for between $1 billion and $5 billion, claiming the broadcaster misrepresented his words in a Panorama documentary. The segment, Trump asserts, wrongly suggested he encouraged violence leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack.
The BBC issued an apology on Friday, acknowledging that the editing of the footage was an “error of judgment” and promising that the segment “will not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms.” However, the network maintained that there is no legal basis for a defamation claim, emphasizing that while it regrets the editing error, it does not accept Trump’s allegations as valid.
Speaking to GB News, Trump described pursuing the lawsuit as a necessary step to prevent similar misrepresentations in the future. “I’m not looking to get into lawsuits, but I think I have an obligation to do it. This was so egregious,” he said. “If you don’t act, it happens again to others.”
Outside the White House, the president reiterated his intentions to formally seek damages, confirming that the case would be filed in the coming week. “We’ll sue them for anywhere between $1 billion and $5 billion. I think I have to do it,” Trump said, signaling his determination to hold the broadcaster accountable.
The legal confrontation underscores ongoing tensions between Trump and media organizations, particularly regarding portrayals of his role in the events surrounding January 6.