Donald Trump has threatened the BBC with a $1 billion lawsuit over its editing of a speech he delivered just before the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riots, a source close to the former president’s legal team told AFP on Monday.
The source, speaking anonymously, confirmed a Fox News report that Trump’s legal team gave the UK broadcaster a Friday deadline to retract the program and issue an apology.
A spokesman for Trump’s lawyers confirmed that a letter had been sent to the BBC, accusing the broadcaster of defaming the former president, but declined to provide further details.
“The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the presidential election,” the spokesman said. “President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.”
The BBC’s director general resigned on Sunday following the controversy, after allegations that a Panorama documentary last year misrepresented Trump’s speech, making it appear as though he issued a direct call for violent action.
The BBC confirmed on Monday that it would review the letter and apologized for the misleading edit.
Trump supporters rioted at the US Capitol that day in an attempt to overturn the certification of his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
