A Florida judge has ordered President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed to trial. The two-week hearing will begin on February 15, 2027, at the federal courthouse in Miami.
The lawsuit targets a BBC Panorama episode broadcast in 2024 that included an edited clip from Trump's January 6, 2021 speech. Trump's legal team argues the editing was «false and defamatory» and created the false impression that he encouraged supporters to storm the Capitol building.
BBC's Failed Dismissal Attempt
The BBC had filed a motion to dismiss the case on multiple grounds. The broadcaster argued the Florida court lacked «personal jurisdiction» and was an «improper» venue. The BBC also contended Trump had «failed to state a claim» and noted it did not create, produce, or broadcast the documentary in Florida.
The judge rejected these arguments and set the trial date. The lawsuit seeks up to $10 billion in damages.
The Disputed Clip
The Panorama episode showed Trump telling supporters on January 6, 2021: «We're going to walk down to the Capitol… and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.» Trump's lawyers maintain the editing distorted his actual message.
The programme faced criticism when it aired late last year over this particular episode.
BBC Response
A BBC spokesperson confirmed the corporation will defend the case. «As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings,» the spokesperson said.
The trial marks a significant legal confrontation between a sitting US president and a major international broadcaster over media representation of political events.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
