'Determined To Fight': BBC Chief Vows To Take On Trump's $5 Billion Defamation Threat

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 19:22 IST

The US President’s lawyers threatened a lawsuit demanding no less than $1 billion, with potential damages rising to $5 billion

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on November 16. (Getty Images via AFP)

The BBC on Monday pledged to defend itself against a defamation lawsuit threatened by US President Donald Trump, its chairman, Samir Shah, told staff on Monday.

Trump has indicated he may seek up to $5 billion in damages over a controversial BBC documentary that he claims misrepresented his January 6, 2021, speech.

In a message to staff, Shah said, “I want to be very clear with you -– our position has not changed. There is no basis for a defamation case and we are determined to fight this."

The BBC’s stance comes amid mounting tensions over the broadcaster’s handling of the programme, which edited Trump’s speech in a way he says falsely implied he incited the Capitol riot.

What is the row about?

The controversy erupted after Trump’s legal team set a Friday deadline for the BBC to retract the documentary, issue a formal apology, and compensate him for what they described as “overwhelming reputational and financial harm."

The US President’s lawyers threatened a lawsuit demanding no less than $1 billion, with potential damages rising to $5 billion.

Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One over the weekend, criticised the BBC for what he called “cheating" and said the network had “changed the words coming out of my mouth." He described the edit as “beyond fake…this is corrupt," adding that the broadcaster’s apology did not go far enough.

The BBC acknowledged the editing error and apologised personally to Trump on Thursday, describing it as “an error of judgement." Chair Samir Shah also assured lawmakers that the corporation would not rebroadcast the controversial documentary. The apology was backed by British culture minister Lisa Nandy, who called it “right and necessary."

The row has intensified scrutiny of the BBC, which has been navigating one of its most serious crises in decades, following the resignation of two senior leaders amid accusations of bias. The broadcaster is also investigating claims of similar editing issues on other programmes, including “Newsnight."

(With inputs from agencies)

News world 'Determined To Fight': BBC Chief Vows To Take On Trump's $5 Billion Defamation Threat

Read More