US President Donald Trump has announced that he feels obligated to sue the BBC over the editing of his speech featured in a Panorama documentary. Speaking on Fox News, Trump claimed that the way his January 6, 2021 speech was presented was 'butchered,' leading to a misleading portrayal that 'defrauded' viewers.
This statement marks Trump's first public comment since his lawyers threatened legal action, demanding $1 billion in damages unless the BBC issues a retraction, an apology, and compensation.
A representative from the BBC stated, 'We are reviewing the letter and will respond directly in due course.' Earlier, BBC chair Samir Shah offered an apology for what he described as an 'error of judgement' regarding the edit.
During the interview, Trump emphasized his belief that he must pursue this lawsuit, criticizing the BBC for the edits that he claims altered the peaceful nature of his speech into something more radical. He expressed frustration over the 'incredible' transformation of his message and reiterated, 'I have an obligation to do it because you can't let people defraud the public.'
The controversy began after the BBC's Panorama aired a documentary shortly before the November 2024 US presidential election. A leaked internal memo raised concerns about the editing, suggesting it portrayed Trump as encouraging the Capitol riot when in fact he had urged supporters to 'cheer on' lawmakers as part of a peaceful demonstration.
Trump's legal threats against media outlets have become quite common; he has previously settled with CBS News and ABC News after similar disputes regarding coverage. Following the backlash from the Panorama documentary, BBC executives Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resigned amid ongoing discussions about the corporation's editorial standards.
The prime minister's office stated that the legal issues involved were a matter for the BBC, emphasizing that the government would not intervene in ongoing legal disputes. As the situation continues to unfold, the BBC maintains that they will respond to Trump's legal letter appropriately by the specified deadline.
