President Trump says he plans to sue the BBC for up to $5 billion over a misleading video edit despite the broadcaster apologizing but rejecting any basis for defamation.
US President Donald Trump said he plans to file a lawsuit seeking between $1 billion and $5 billion against the BBC after the broadcaster apologized for a misleading edit of one of his speeches but refused to pay damages, according to a report from VANGUARD.
“We’ll sue them for anywhere between a billion and five billion dollars, probably some time next week. I think I have to do it. They’ve even admitted that they cheated,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. His lawyers had earlier sent the BBC a letter accusing it of defaming him with a video of his speech before the January 6, 2021 US Capitol riot and demanding an apology and compensation.
Trump said “the people of the UK are very angry” about the edit and added he would raise the matter with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “I’m going to call him over the weekend. He actually put a call into me. He’s very embarrassed,” Trump said.
The BBC apologized Monday for creating the impression in a documentary that Trump had directly urged “violent action” before the Capitol assault. The controversy has already prompted the resignation of the BBC director-general and its top news executive.
The broadcaster said on Thursday it regrets the edit but insists there is “no basis for a defamation claim.”