US President Donald Trump has stated that he feels compelled to sue the BBC due to how a portion of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary. Speaking to Fox News, Trump asserted that his address from January 6, 2021, was 'butchered' and that the presentation misled viewers.
This announcement marks Trump's first public statement regarding the issue since his legal team sent a letter to the BBC, threatening to sue for $1 billion (£759 million) unless the network issues a retraction, an apology, and compensation.
The BBC responded by acknowledging they are reviewing the letter. BBC chair Samir Shah previously admitted to an 'error of judgment' concerning the edits made in the documentary.
During the interview, Trump emphasized his belief that the edits had defrauded the public, stating, They changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical. He maintained that the alterations were significant enough to warrant legal action, insisting, I think I have an obligation to do it, because you can't allow people to do that.
The controversy gained traction following a leaked internal BBC memo that raised concerns about how the speech made it appear that Trump had encouraged the Capitol riot. The edited version spliced different sections of the speech, altering its context.
As the legal battle ensues, Trump has previously made threats against other media outlets as well, having settled with CBS and ABC News over their coverage of him. This latest dispute with the BBC brings to light significant questions about media representation and political discourse.
