WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion (£790 million), accusing the broadcaster of intentionally manipulating footage in one of its recent programmes.
The warning was issued in a formal legal letter sent to the BBC by Trump’s attorneys on Thursday, obtained by NBC News, a U.S. partner outlet.
According to the letter, the British broadcaster has been given until 5 p.m. Eastern Time (10 p.m. UK time) on Friday, 14 November to comply with the demands or face legal proceedings.
If the BBC fails to respond, the letter states,
“President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights… including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 (One Billion Dollars) in damages. The BBC is on notice.”
BBC accused of ‘deceptive editing’
Trump’s legal team has accused the BBC of defamation and election interference, claiming that a recent documentary “intentionally and deceitfully” edited one of his 2021 speeches.
“The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary to try and interfere in the Presidential Election,” a spokesperson for Trump’s lawyers told NBC News.
“President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.”
The statement echoes Trump’s long-running criticism of international media organisations, including the BBC, which he has frequently labelled “biased” during and after his presidency.
BBC response and next steps
In a short response to NBC News, a BBC spokesperson said:
“We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.”
The corporation did not immediately confirm whether it plans to issue a correction or retract the documentary segment in question.
The White House declined to comment, referring all inquiries to Trump’s external legal representatives.
Background and political implications
The dispute stems from a BBC documentary that featured edited clips of a speech Trump delivered in January 2021.
His legal team claims the edits changed the meaning of his remarks, potentially portraying him in a false light ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Media analysts say the confrontation could become another flashpoint in Trump’s ongoing battle with mainstream news outlets as he intensifies his campaign to return to the White House in 2026.
While lawsuits of this scale are rare, legal experts note that public figures face high thresholds to prove defamation, especially against established media organisations operating under free-press protections.
If Trump follows through on his threat, the case could test both U.K. and U.S. libel laws, given the cross-border nature of the broadcast and his dual status as a former head of state and current political candidate.
A familiar strategy
Trump has previously threatened or filed lawsuits against several media outlets including CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post often using legal action as both a political and public-relations tool to challenge reporting he views as hostile or misleading.
However, few of those suits have advanced beyond the early stages. Whether this latest confrontation with the BBC proceeds to court remains to be seen.
Editing by M10News U.S. Desk | Contact: usdesk@m10news.com
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