Washington: US President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the broadcaster of distorting his speech linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill attack. Trump alleged that his remarks were edited in a misleading manner to create a false narrative and mislead the public. He has sought $10 billion (approximately ₹90,000 crore) in damages, filing a 46-page suit in a federal court in Miami.
According to the complaint, the BBC altered Trump’s speech at two points and used the edited version in a documentary. The film allegedly portrayed Trump as directly encouraging supporters to go to the Capitol and “fight fiercely,” a depiction that triggered widespread criticism. Trump has maintained that the portrayal was defamatory and politically motivated.
The documentary sparked significant controversy and drew political backlash against the BBC. Amid mounting pressure, BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness reportedly stepped down from their positions, further intensifying the debate around the broadcaster’s editorial practices and the lawsuit.
🚨 BREAKING: The BBC has just been sued for $10 BILLION by President Trump for manipulatively editing his Jan. 6th speech to make him sound like an insurrectionist
The BBC is COOKED!
They will be paying for Trump's library! FAFO🤣🔥 pic.twitter.com/0D0OSSl8ZD
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 16, 2025