The BBC has announced plans to seek the dismissal of a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit pertains to a documentary aired by the BBC’s “Panorama” program, which features segments of Trump’s speech from January 6, 2021, the day of the U.S. Capitol riots. The motion is set to be filed in the Southern District of Florida as part of the broadcaster’s legal strategy.
According to court documents filed on December 4, 2023, the BBC contends that the Florida court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. The broadcaster argues that Trump’s legal team has incorrectly asserted that he suffered damages from the documentary. The lawsuit, initiated last month, includes a count of defamation and a count of violating Florida’s trade practices law, with Trump’s attorneys seeking $5 billion in damages for each count.
Details of the Lawsuit
Trump’s complaint accuses the BBC of producing a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction” of him. The documentary focuses on his remarks leading up to the Capitol riots and claims the BBC “intentionally and maliciously sought to fully mislead its viewers.” Trump’s legal team alleges that the documentary misrepresented his words by splicing two clips of his speech delivered in Washington, D.C., before the riots commenced. They assert that the edited version omitted his call for peace.
The lawsuit highlights the fact that the two clips used in the documentary were separated by 55 minutes. Trump’s attorneys claim that he directed his supporters to the Capitol to peacefully protest the certification of election results favoring Joe Biden.
BBC’s Defense Strategy
The legal representatives for the BBC, including the firm Ballard Spahr, maintain that the documentary was neither created nor aired in Florida, which is central to their argument for dismissal. They assert that the case lacks merit since it did not cause damage to Trump, noting that he was re-elected after the documentary aired in the U.K. and won Florida decisively.
Furthermore, the BBC’s attorneys dispute a claim made by Trump’s team that the documentary was available for viewing in the U.S. via the streaming service BritBox. They stated that the link provided by Trump does not lead to the documentary, confirming that it was never available on that platform.
In response to inquiries regarding the lawsuit, a BBC spokesperson reiterated the organization’s commitment to defending against the claims but declined to comment further on ongoing legal proceedings. The BBC had previously issued an apology in November, acknowledging that the edited soundbite created a “mistaken impression” of Trump’s remarks. They emphasized their disagreement with the basis of the defamation claim while expressing regret over the editing.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for both parties could be significant, particularly in light of the larger political context surrounding the 2024 U.S. elections. The outcome of the BBC’s motion to dismiss will likely set the stage for the next phase of this high-profile case.
