The BBC has announced it will seek to have Donald Trump’s lawsuit thrown out, challenging both the legal basis and the location of the case over how his January 6, 2021 speech was edited in a Panorama documentary.
The US president filed a $5 billion lawsuit in Florida last month, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation and of breaching a trade practices law. He claims the programme wrongly suggested he directly called for violence ahead of the Capitol riot.
In court documents submitted on Monday, the BBC said the Florida court does not have “personal jurisdiction” over the organisation and that the venue is not appropriate for the case. The broadcaster also argues that Trump has failed to present a legally valid claim.
The BBC has already acknowledged that the way the speech was edited created a misleading impression. It apologised to Trump for that error but rejected his demand for financial compensation and denied that the mistake amounted to defamation.
According to the BBC, the Panorama programme was not broadcast in the United States and therefore could not have damaged Trump’s reputation there. The corporation also says Trump has not shown that the documentary caused him any real harm, noting that he went on to win re-election and secured a large majority in Florida after the programme aired.
Trump has claimed the documentary was shown on BritBox, a streaming platform, but the BBC disputes this. It also argues that he cannot prove the programme was made with “actual malice”, a key legal standard in US defamation cases involving public figures.
The disputed clip lasts about 15 seconds in an hour-long documentary that included wide coverage of Trump’s supporters and his campaign. In the original speech on 6 January 2021, Trump first said supporters would walk to the Capitol to “cheer on” lawmakers. Nearly an hour later, he added, “we fight like hell”. The programme edited the two lines together, giving the impression they were said as part of one call to action.
The BBC previously said this edit wrongly suggested Trump directly encouraged violence, but insisted it was a mistake rather than a deliberate attempt to mislead.
The controversy led to major fallout inside the broadcaster after an internal memo was leaked in November. The BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, and its head of news, Deborah Turness, both resigned following criticism of how the programme was handled.
In its latest court filing, the BBC has also asked the judge to pause all evidence-gathering until the motion to dismiss is decided. If the case is allowed to go forward, a provisional trial date in 2027 has been mentioned.
About the author
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]
Thousands Evacuated as France Wildfires Spread
Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and holiday camps as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across the Gironde region in southwestern France. Authorities say around 12,000 people have already been evacuated, while another 8,800 residents and visitors are being relocated as a precaution. According to local fire officials, the flames have destroyed approximately 3,100 hectares of land near the Bay of Arcachon, with strong winds and rising temperatures making firefighting efforts increasingly difficult. Most of those evacuated were visitors staying at campsites on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, while additional campsites in nearby Claouey were cleared as the fire continued to spread. Officials say the evacuations have been carried out safely, with no injuries reported. Gironde Prefect Sophie Brocas confirmed that nearly 10,000 tourists were among those evacuated overnight. Authorities have also closed several roads and forest areas […]
Minab School Strike Leaves Families in Lasting Grief
The destruction of Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran, has become one of the deadliest civilian tragedies of the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Months after the attack, teachers, rescue workers, and grieving families continue to live with the devastating consequences. Amaineh Nademi, a 33-year-old primary school teacher, walks through the ruins of the school where she taught first-grade girls. Parts of the building remain standing, but much of it has collapsed into rubble. She recalls where each classroom, office, and prayer room once stood, saying the school is now a place marked by loss and sorrow. The strike occurred on 28 February during the opening hours of the conflict. According to the Minab prosecutor's office, 156 people were killed, including 120 children, a pregnant woman, and her unborn baby. It remains the deadliest reported single attack on […]
Kokou Ekouagou préside le collectif artistique Fragments Nomades
Après 27 ans de carrière artistique, le plasticien togolais Kokou Ekouagou franchit une nouvelle étape en devenant président du Collectif Fragments Nomades, une association française dédiée à la promotion de l'art contemporain et des échanges culturels. Créé avec l'historienne de l'art et artiste collagiste Lielie Sellier, le collectif ambitionne de renforcer les liens culturels entre le Togo, la France et d'autres pays à travers des expositions, des ateliers et des projets artistiques. Pour Kokou Ekouagou, l'art constitue un véritable outil de dialogue, de compréhension mutuelle et de rapprochement entre les peuples. Reconnu pour une carrière de près de trois décennies, l'artiste togolais a vu certaines de ses œuvres intégrer des collections internationales, notamment celles du Torrance Art Museum en Californie. Son travail explore des thèmes tels que l'identité, la mémoire, le brassage culturel et le vivre-ensemble. Au-delà de sa carrière […]
Le MO5 rend hommage à Tavio Amorin, 34 ans après sa disparition
À l'occasion du 34ᵉ anniversaire de la disparition de Tavio Amorin, le Mouvement patriotique du 5 Octobre (MO5) a publié une déclaration rendant hommage à l'ancien dirigeant politique, présenté par l'organisation comme une figure majeure de la lutte démocratique et du panafricanisme au Togo. Signé par son coordinateur général, Eloi Koussawo, le communiqué salue la mémoire de celui que le mouvement considère comme l'un de ses cofondateurs et renouvelle son engagement à poursuivre son combat politique. Le texte adresse également un message de soutien à la famille de Tavio Amorin, notamment à son fils. Le MO5 décrit Tavio Amorin comme un militant engagé pour la démocratie, la justice et l'unité africaine. L'organisation estime que son héritage continue d'inspirer une partie de la jeunesse togolaise et réaffirme sa volonté de défendre les idéaux qu'elle lui attribue. Le communiqué est accompagné d'un […]
Georges William-Kouessan plaide pour des réformes au Togo
Invité de l'émission « D12 » sur Pyramide FM, le président du parti Santé du Peuple, Dr Georges William-Kouessan, s'est exprimé sur plusieurs sujets d'actualité, notamment la lutte contre la corruption, le dialogue politique et les inondations qui touchent le pays. Concernant la décision de l'Autorité de régulation des commandes publiques (ARCOP) sanctionnant un agent de l'État pour fraude, avec un ministre entendu dans le dossier, l'opposant a salué cette mesure tout en estimant que la lutte contre la corruption ne pourra être pleinement efficace que dans un contexte d'alternance politique et d'institutions plus indépendantes. Le président de Santé du Peuple a également critiqué le fonctionnement actuel du Cadre permanent de concertation (CPC), qu'il juge insuffisamment ouvert au dialogue. Il appelle à une réforme profonde de cette instance ainsi qu'à l'organisation d'assises nationales réunissant les partis politiques, la société civile […]
Related
Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]
Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing in Tehran that Iran “has no negotiations with the American side at present” and has made no move to reopen direct talks with Washington. “Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are reports periodically circulated by our opponents,” he added. Baghaei said any contacts now take place only through intermediaries, noting that “mediators may convey messages from the American side regarding current developments in the region, but at present we have no negotiations with the American side.” He stressed that Iran’s recent discussions with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz are purely bilateral. “These talks have no connection with the United States… and they are continuing,” he said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.”english.alarabiya+1 The comments follow earlier statements from Iranian officials who accused the US of violating a […]
New PM Burnham vows to put Britain’s interest first in Trump ties
Burnham, 56, a veteran Labour politician and former mayor of Greater Manchester, said in a BBC interview that he will always defend the United Kingdom’s national interest, even if it means publicly disagreeing with Trump. “All leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly,” he said. The new prime minister added that he “may take a different opinion” from Trump and would “of course” be willing to call him out where Britain’s interests are at stake. At the same time, he stressed the importance of the longstanding UK‑US relationship and said he would seek to engage the US president directly and frankly. Shortly after taking office, Burnham held a phone call with Trump which both sides described as “very […]
Iran army says it attacked US bases in Bahrain, Jordan
The Iranian military said the operation targeted several US facilities in the Gulf and the Middle East, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. Earlier reports had also said Iranian forces struck US-linked targets in Kuwait and other neighbouring states as part of a wider retaliation campaign.zeenews Iran has repeatedly argued that its attacks are a response to US strikes on its territory and a warning against further escalation. Bahrain and Jordan have previously reported intercepting projectiles fired toward their territory, with no immediate casualties confirmed in those earlier incidents. The renewed claims underline how the confrontation is spreading across the Gulf, putting pressure on regional security and raising fears of a broader war.
Iran army vows continuous strikes if US doesn’t halt attacks
Iranian commanders issued the warning after a fresh wave of US airstrikes on targets inside Iran and along its southern coastline, including air defence systems, radar sites and coastal bases near the Strait of Hormuz. The operations are part of consecutive nights of US attacks aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities.reuters+1 Tehran has responded with missiles and drones aimed at US-linked bases and infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states such as Kuwait and Bahrain, and has threatened to widen its response if Washington presses on. Iranian officials describe the Strait of Hormuz as an “unbreakable red line”, insisting they will resist any attempt to weaken their control of the vital waterway for global oil shipments.news.un+1 The exchanges have shredded an already fragile ceasefire and interim deal agreed earlier in the year, with shipping through the strait disrupted and regional energy infrastructure […]
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]