Trump pares $10 billion BBC defamation suit, proceeds only against broadcaster itself

Donald Trump has dropped part of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, dismissing claims against the corporation’s commercial and production arms while continuing the case against the broadcaster itself. The lawsuit stems from a 2024 Panorama program that featured a “botched edit” of Trump’s January 6 speech, according to Deadline.

DeadlineTrump Drops BBC Studios From $10B Defamation Lawsuit Over Panorama Edit; US Government May Join Case

“spliced together two clips in a 12-second segment from the 2021 Capitol riots”

GB NewsDonald Trump drops part of $10b BBC lawsuit - but will press on against broadcaster itself

GB News reported that the documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” made it appear Trump said “We fight like hell” in a misleading context. Trump’s legal team originally filed the $10 billion suit against multiple BBC entities, but has now abandoned defamation claims against BBC Studios Distribution Limited and BBC Studios Productions Limited.

Variety noted that the dismissed claims were “dropped with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.” The case will now proceed only against the BBC itself, with Deadline reporting that a trial is set for next year. Additionally, Deadline indicated that the “U.S. government is considering joining the litigation,” adding a significant dimension to the ongoing legal battle.

VarietyTrump Drops Part of $10 Billion BBC Defamation Lawsuit, Continues Case Against Broadcaster

The move narrows the scope of one of the largest defamation claims ever brought against a news organization, leaving the BBC proper to defend the Panorama edit alone. Each party bore its own costs in the dismissal, according to multiple outlets.