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BBC Vows to Fight Trump’s Planned $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Panorama Edit

BBC lawyers argue the geo‑blocked edit does not meet U.S. defamation standards.

Overview

  • President Trump says he will file suit this week in Florida seeking between $1 billion and $5 billion over a 12‑second splice of his January 6 remarks.
  • BBC chair Samir Shah told staff the corporation sees no basis for a defamation case and is determined to contest any action to protect licence fee payers.
  • The broadcaster has apologised, retracted the segment, removed the Panorama episode and accepted the edit created a mistaken impression about a call to violence.
  • BBC’s legal response cites five defenses, including lack of U.S. distribution due to geo‑blocking, no malice, the clip’s brief context within a longer film, limited harm and strong First Amendment protections.
  • Legal scholars quoted in coverage question the likelihood of Trump prevailing, as UK political figures urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to allow a payout from public funds.