'Anywhere Between $1–5 Billion': Trump Says He'll Sue BBC Over 'Egregious' Panorama Edit

Last Updated:November 15, 2025, 07:26 IST

Donald Trump plans to sue the BBC for up to 5 billion dollars over a Panorama edit of his 6 January 2021 speech. BBC apologized but denied compensation

Donald Trump plans to sue the BBC for up to 5 billion dollars over a Panorama edit of his 6 January 2021 speech. BBC apologized but denied compensation

 US President Donald Trump has announced that he will officially sue the BBC next week, saying he will seek “anywhere from $1 billion to $5 billion" in damages over what he called an “egregious" edit of his 6 January 2021 speech by the BBC’s flagship programme Panorama.

After the BBC refused the full demands issued by the White House, including a complete retraction, a “grovelling" apology, and financial compensation, Trump told journalists outside the White House on Friday: “We’ll sue them for anywhere between $1 billion and $5 billion, probably sometime next week." When asked if he would move forward with legal action, he added, “I think I have to do it."

Trump had set a 10 pm deadline on Thursday for the broadcaster to comply. His lawyers had warned that unless the BBC capitulated entirely, he would pursue a $1bn lawsuit. The BBC, however, opted to hold its ground, offering an apology but firmly denying that Trump had any legal basis to claim damages.

The corporation spent the following 24 hours bracing for a “nuclear response" from the President, aware that rejecting his terms could spark a high-stakes confrontation with Washington. In its statement, the BBC apologised for an edit that had “unintentionally given the mistaken impression" that Trump had directly called for violence ahead of the Capitol riot, but insisted it would not offer compensation.

The dispute has already led to the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. As of now, searches of public court databases show no lawsuit has yet been filed. Federal and state courts in Florida, where Trump would likely bring the case, remain closed for the weekend, and PACER searches show no related federal filing so far.

Trump has also indicated he will raise the matter with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the weekend.

News world 'Anywhere Between $1–5 Billion': Trump Says He'll Sue BBC Over 'Egregious' Panorama Edit

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