Nationwide — President Trump is demanding the BBC retract what he calls false and misleading claims in a documentary about his January 6, 2021 speech or face a $1 billion lawsuit, saying the broadcaster harmed his reputation and finances worldwide.
The dispute stems from the BBC Panorama documentary Trump: A Second Chance, which aired on October 28, 2024. According to Fox News, Trump’s legal team claims the program edited parts of his speech to make it seem like he encouraged violence while cutting out his call for supporters to protest peacefully. They argue that this deliberate editing misled viewers and portrayed Trump in a false light.
On Sunday, Trump’s lawyers sent a notice to BBC executives accusing the network of airing “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements.” The letter demanded an immediate retraction, public apology, and compensation. It warned that if the BBC does not comply by November 14, 2025, Trump will file a lawsuit seeking at least $1 billion in damages.
The controversy has intensified pressure on the British broadcaster. BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News and Current Affairs Chief Deborah Turness both resigned following backlash over the documentary. Whistleblower reports have also surfaced, pointing to broader editorial concerns within the network, further fueling criticism of its journalistic standards.
Trump responded to the resignations on social media, accusing the BBC of being “dishonest” and claiming it tried to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. His legal team insists the BBC acted with “reckless disregard for the truth,” while the network says it will review the letter and respond directly.