BBC Seeks Dismissal of Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Over Panorama Episode
The BBC is asking a court to dismiss Donald Trump's lawsuit against them, arguing that the Panorama episode in question was never aired in the US. Trump is suing for defamation over the way his speech was edited in the episode, claiming it made it seem like he incited the Capitol riot. The BBC has apologized to Trump but rejected his demands for compensation and disagrees with the defamation claim. The corporation argues that the Florida court does not have jurisdiction over the case as the program was not broadcast in the US, including Florida.
The BBC aired the program in the UK on its TV channels and streaming service, iPlayer, but did not make it available in the US. Trump's lawsuit claimed that people in Florida could have accessed the program using a VPN or BritBox, but the BBC denies this. The BBC prohibits VPN use to watch iPlayer from outside the UK and actively enforces this ban. The BBC also refutes claims that a third-party distributor aired the documentary in the US, stating that no distributor did so.
The BBC maintains that there was no malice in the edit and that Trump was not harmed by the program, as he was re-elected shortly after it aired. The BBC spokesperson reiterated that the documentary was never aired in Florida or the US and was not available on any US streaming platforms. The BBC has filed a motion to dismiss Trump's claim, challenging the jurisdiction of the Florida court.
Trump has two weeks to respond to the motion to dismiss, with the possibility of requesting an extension. The controversy arose from the editing of Trump's speech before the Capitol riot, where he encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell." The Panorama program edited the speech to make it seem like he was inciting the riot, leading to criticism and internal resignations at the BBC. Trump is seeking damages for the allegedly false and defamatory edit of his speech. The case may proceed to trial in 2027 if it progresses.