US President Donald Trump has taken legal action against the British broadcaster BBC filed a lawsuit in which he up to 10 billion dollars in damages demands. The lawsuit was triggered by an edited excerpt of his speech from 6 January 2021, which Trump claims gives the impression that he called for violence, although he had called for peaceful behaviour in parts of the original speech. The lawsuit was filed in a Federal court in Miami and contains two main allegations: Slander and Violation of Floridian regulations on misleading business practices. Trump is demanding five billion dollars for each accusation.

At the centre of the legal dispute is an episode of the BBC documentary series Panoramain which Trump's speech was partially edited together. The BBC has conceded that the editing may have given the wrong impression, but rejects the legal claims. Trump emphasises that despite this apology, his reputation has been damaged and the matter must therefore be resolved in court. The broadcast of the programme had also public criticism and personnel consequences within the BBC.

The BBC has announced that it will defend itself against the lawsuit in court. Experts in media law are watching the case closely, as it High legal hurdles for defamation lawsuits against public broadcasters points out. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the editing of speeches, interviews and documentaries in the media.