Legal representatives for former US President Donald Trump have issued a formal threat to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation for a staggering $1 billion (£760 million) in damages. The move comes in response to a Panorama documentary that allegedly misrepresented Mr Trump's remarks surrounding the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
The Legal Demand
In a sharply worded letter dated Monday, 10 November 2025, Florida-based attorney Alejandro Brito outlined the grievances on behalf of his client. The correspondence was addressed directly to BBC Chair Samir Shah and BBC lawyer Sarah Jones.
The legal team accuses the broadcaster of publishing "false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements" in the documentary titled "Trump: A Second Chance". This programme was first broadcast on 28 October 2024, just one week before the United States presidential election.
Mr Brito's letter demands three specific actions from the BBC: an immediate and prominent retraction of the documentary, a formal apology, and appropriate financial compensation for the "overwhelming reputational and financial harm" allegedly caused to President Trump.
Allegations of Misleading Editing
The core of the legal complaint centres on the editing techniques used in the Panorama film. The legal letter asserts that the BBC spliced together three separate parts of President Trump's speech to supporters on January 6, 2021.
The documentary reportedly showed Mr Trump telling supporters: "We're gonna walk down to the Capitol and I'll be there with you and we fight. We fight like hell and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."
However, the legal filing contends that President Trump's actual and full remarks were: "We're going to walk down, and I'll be there with you, we're going to walk down, we're going to walk down any one of you but I think right here, we're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressman and women."
Furthermore, the letter highlights that the BBC edited out President Trump saying, "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
Legal Framework and Consequences
The letter extensively cites Florida defamation law, arguing that the BBC's editing created a false implication by omitting crucial context. It references legal precedent establishing that liability can arise when a speaker neglects to provide adequate factual foundation.
Mr Brito specifically dismisses any potential defence that the documentary represented opinion rather than fact, stating that "the BBC lacks any viable defence to the overwhelming reputational and financial harm it has caused President Trump to suffer."
The correspondence includes a comprehensive evidence preservation demand, instructing the BBC to retain all electronic and paper records related to the documentary's production. This includes communications with third parties, source materials, and all documents related to the claims about President Trump.
The BBC has been given until 14 November 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST to comply with the demands. Failure to do so will result in the filing of a $1 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster.
This legal threat arrives after BBC Chair Samir Shah had previously apologised for an "error of judgment" concerning the editing of President Trump's speech in the documentary. The situation continues to develop as the deadline for the BBC's response approaches.
