In a lawsuit filed last month, Trump demanded over $5 billion, accusing the corporation of misleadingly editing his January 6, 2021, speech delivered before the U.S. Capitol was stormed during the 2020 presidential election certification.
Trump’s lawsuit, submitted in federal court in Miami, alleges the BBC “maliciously” combined two of Trump’s statements made over 54 minutes apart to suggest he had incited his supporters to violence.
The corporation apologized to Trump when the erroneous edit was revealed but argued it didn’t warrant a defamation case.
The broadcaster stated the Panorama episode wasn’t shown on the global feed of the BBC News Channel, and programs on iPlayer, its catchup service, were available only in the U.K.
Public figures claiming defamation in the U.S. must prove “actual malice,” showing intent to spread false information or reckless disregard for the truth.
The BBC’s filing claims Trump “fails to plausibly allege” this and noted the documentary featured “extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to reelection.”
BBC Director General Tim Davie and news CEO Deborah Turness announced their resignations in November after the public dispute with the U.S. president made headlines.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
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