BBC asks court to dismiss Trump lawsuit

The British public broadcaster BBC has asked a US court to dismiss US President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit concerning the editing of his January 6, 2021, speech in a documentary film.

Trump accuses the broadcaster of defamation. He claims it edited parts of his speech to create the impression that he was inciting supporters to attack the US Capitol. The BBC aired the documentary in 2024 shortly before the presidential election, which Trump won.

The British broadcaster said it had apologised for the editing but argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed. According to the broadcaster’s lawyers, Trump cannot credibly claim the documentary damaged his reputation, as he won the presidential election after it aired.

Trump’s lawsuit, filed in Florida, cites not only defamation but also a violation of Florida’s law on deceptive and unfair business practices.

The BBC argues that Florida courts lack jurisdiction because the documentary was not available to local viewers and was primarily intended for a British audience. It added that the US president failed to prove that a brief, approximately 12-second clip in the hour-long documentary created a misleading impression.

If the court does not accept the BBC’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, the trial is expected to begin in February 2027.

(Reuters, Max)