Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to file a $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of editing a speech he delivered shortly before the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riots.
According to a source close to Trump’s legal team who spoke to AFP on Monday, the former president alleges that the BBC’s version of his remarks was “deliberately manipulated” to portray him in a negative light and to suggest that he incited violence.
Trump’s lawyers are reportedly preparing a formal legal complaint, claiming defamation and damage to his reputation. The source said the team intends to pursue “every available legal avenue” to hold the broadcaster accountable.
“President Trump’s words were taken out of context in a way that was misleading and malicious,” the source stated. “We view this as a serious attack on his integrity and his right to fair representation.”
The BBC has not yet issued an official response to the threat of legal action. However, media analysts note that such lawsuits involving editorial decisions are often complex and rarely successful under U.S. law, which strongly protects freedom of the press.
The dispute comes as Trump continues to face legal and political scrutiny ahead of upcoming elections, with his team frequently criticizing major media outlets for what they call “biased coverage.”
If the lawsuit proceeds, it could spark a high-profile clash between one of the world’s most prominent media organizations and a former U.S. president—reigniting global debate over press freedom, political influence, and accountability.