London, January 13, 2026 - The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) intends to request a US federal court in Florida to dismiss a massive $10 billion lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. This move comes according to newly-filed court documents that outline the broadcaster's legal strategy.
Background of the Legal Dispute
Trump initiated this lawsuit last year following a BBC documentary that edited his speech from January 6, 2021. The documentary aired before the 2024 election but was not broadcast in the United States. It focused on events surrounding the US Capitol riot, which occurred as lawmakers were certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.
Editing Controversy Explained
The programme spliced together two separate sections of Trump's speech in a manner that made it appear he explicitly urged supporters to attack the Capitol. Trump's legal complaint alleges this editing was "fabricated" and accuses the BBC of "a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence" the 2024 election to his detriment.
Trump's Claims and Damages Sought
The former president is seeking substantial compensation through this lawsuit. He demands "damages in an amount not less than $5,000,000,000" for each of two counts against the BBC. These counts include alleged defamation and violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
BBC's Defense Strategy
In legal papers filed in federal court in Miami on Monday, BBC lawyers stated they will "move to dismiss the complaint" primarily because the court lacks "personal jurisdiction." They plan to argue that Trump cannot prove the documentary caused him any recognizable injury.
The court documents highlight that Trump claimed only vague "harm to his professional and occupational interests" and suggest he cannot ultimately prove actual damages. Interestingly, the papers note that Trump won reelection on November 5, 2024, after the documentary aired, carrying Florida by a commanding 13-point margin that improved over his 2020 and 2016 performances.
Broader Context of Media Lawsuits
This lawsuit represents the latest in a series of legal actions Trump has taken against media companies in recent years. Several of these cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements, making this high-stakes battle particularly noteworthy.
BBC's Response and Internal Fallout
The BBC has firmly denied the claims of legal defamation and unfair trade practices. However, the broadcaster's chairman Samir Shah sent Trump a letter of apology last year regarding the documentary. Shah also told a UK parliamentary committee in November that the BBC should have acted sooner to acknowledge its mistake after the error was disclosed in a memo leaked to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The controversy surrounding the documentary led to significant leadership changes at the BBC. Director general Tim Davie and top news executive Deborah Turness both resigned amid the furore.
Current Status and Official Statement
A BBC spokesperson provided a clear statement on the matter: "As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings." This indicates the broadcaster's commitment to fighting the lawsuit while maintaining discretion about active litigation.
The case continues to develop in the Florida federal court, with both sides preparing their arguments. Legal observers will watch closely as this high-profile dispute between a former US president and a major international broadcaster unfolds in the coming months.
