Trump Drops BBC Studios From $10 Billion Lawsuit as Main BBC Defamation Case Continues
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 17
Trump Drops BBC Studios From $10 Billion Lawsuit as Main BBC Defamation Case Continues
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 17
Summary
A Thursday court filing showed Trump agreed to dismiss BBC Studios Productions and BBC Studios Distribution from his Florida suit, while continuing to pursue up to $10 billion against the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The change followed the BBC's argument that its commercial arm neither created the 2024 Panorama documentary nor broadcast it in the US, narrowing the case to the public broadcaster itself.
Trump still alleges Panorama deceptively spliced his 6 January 2021 speech, while the BBC says an editing error created a false impression but does not meet the legal standard for defamation.
His lawyers this week urged the court not to dismiss the case, arguing BBC geo-blocking was unreliable and that staff and social-media promotion helped direct US viewers to the programme.
A February 2027 trial date has been set if the case survives dismissal motions, in a dispute that already triggered the resignations of former BBC director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness.