BBC Files Motion to Dismiss Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit
The BBC is taking legal action to dismiss a massive defamation lawsuit filed by former US President Donald Trump. The UK's national public broadcaster argues the case lacks proper grounds and jurisdiction.
Trump's Allegations Against BBC Editing
Donald Trump accused the BBC of defamation over edited clips from his January 6, 2021 speech. The Panorama documentary spliced together portions of his address that were originally delivered almost an hour apart.
The edited sequence made it appear Trump told supporters: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol and I'll be there with you, and we fight. We fight like hell." Trump claims the BBC "put words in my mouth" through this editing technique.
The former president alleges the broadcaster acted "intentionally, maliciously and deceptively" in presenting his speech. This lawsuit represents a significant escalation in their dispute, which previously led to high-profile resignations at the BBC.
BBC's Legal Arguments for Dismissal
According to court documents filed in Florida's Southern District, the BBC presents multiple reasons why the case should be thrown out:
- Lack of Jurisdiction: The BBC contends Florida courts lack personal jurisdiction over the broadcaster and that the venue is improper for this case.
- No Valid Legal Claim: The broadcaster argues Trump has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted under US law.
- Documentary Not Linked to Florida: The BBC maintains it did not create, produce, or broadcast the Panorama documentary in Florida, undermining the lawsuit's basis in the state.
- BritBox Claims Disputed: While Trump claims the documentary was available on BritBox in the US, BBC lawyers state this is incorrect, noting that clicking the cited link shows it's not on the streaming service.
- No Actual Malice: The broadcaster argues Trump hasn't plausibly alleged the documentary was published with "actual malice," a crucial legal standard for public officials in US defamation cases.
The BBC has also requested the court to pause all discovery processes until a decision is reached on their dismissal motion. This legal maneuver could significantly delay or potentially end the high-stakes lawsuit before it proceeds to trial.
