New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the BBC, threatening to file a $1 billion lawsuit over the misediting of his speech in a documentary.
The controversy stems from a Panorama programme segment related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill riots, in which Trump’s words were edited in a manner that implied he incited violence.
Trump’s lawyers have formally communicated with the BBC, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the documentary. They assert that the editing distorted the original speech, presenting a misleading narrative that damaged Trump’s reputation and influenced public perception during subsequent elections. The letter warns the broadcaster to retract the film or face defamation proceedings.
The crux of the dispute lies in the omission of the word “peacefully” from Trump’s statement. During his January 6 address in Washington D.C., Trump had said, “we are going to the Capitol and we will peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.” However, the edited version combined separate parts of his speech, cropping out “peacefully” and creating an impression that Trump called for aggressive action.
The BBC has acknowledged the error and expressed regret over the editing mistake. In response to the fallout, the Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resigned, taking responsibility for the editorial lapses. BBC Chairman Sameer Shah also issued a public apology, assuring viewers of the corporation’s commitment to journalistic integrity and explaining that the error should have been handled with greater care.
The Telegraph recently exposed an internal BBC memo revealing that the Panorama programme had manipulated clips in a way that suggested Trump instigated the Capitol riots, sparking a wider debate on media ethics and trust.
This high-profile dispute highlights the delicate role of media in shaping political narratives and the repercussions when editorial lines are crossed.