Trump Demands $1B From BBC

President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for defamation, seeking no less than $1,000,000,000 in damages unless the broadcaster issues a full retraction and public apology by 5 p.m. ET on Friday.

The demand, sent via Florida attorney Alejandro Brito on November 9, accuses the BBC’s Panorama documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?”—aired October 28, 2024—of deliberately editing Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech to falsely suggest he incited violence. 

The program spliced non-consecutive clips, omitting his call to “peacefully and patriotically” protest. BBC Chairman Samir Shah has apologized to UK Parliament, calling the edit an “error of judgment” that created a misleading impression. 

The scandal triggered the resignations of Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness on November 9.

Trump, in a Fox News interview, called the edit a “butchering” of his “beautiful, calming speech” and vowed legal action to combat “dishonest” media.

Legal experts say the $1 billion claim is unlikely to succeed due to jurisdictional challenges, high U.S. defamation standards, and rare billion-dollar awards. A settlement in the low six figures is considered more probable.

The BBC has until Friday to respond. No lawsuit has been filed yet.