The BBC will ask a US court to dismiss Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit, arguing it lacks jurisdiction and the documentary caused him no injury.
LONDON: The BBC intends to ask a US federal court in Florida to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
According to newly-filed court documents, the British broadcaster’s lawyers will argue the court lacks personal jurisdiction over the case.
Trump launched the lawsuit last year over a BBC documentary that edited his 2021 speech ahead of the US Capitol riot.
The programme spliced together two separate sections of his January 6 speech, making it appear he explicitly urged supporters to attack the Capitol.
The US leader is seeking at least $5 billion for each of two counts against the BBC for alleged defamation and violation of Florida trade practices.
In papers filed in Miami, BBC lawyers said they will “move to dismiss the complaint”.
They will argue Trump “will not be able to prove” the documentary “caused him any cognizable injury”.
The court papers alleged he claimed only vague “harm to his professional and occupational interests”.
They noted he won re-election in 2024 after the documentary aired, carrying Florida by a 13-point margin.
Trump’s lawsuit says the edited speech was “fabricated” and accused the BBC of attempting to interfere in the 2024 election.
It is the latest in a string of legal actions Trump has taken against media companies in recent years.
The BBC has denied the claims of defamation and unfair trade practices.
However, BBC chairman Samir Shah sent Trump a letter of apology last year.
Shah also told a UK parliamentary committee the BBC should have acted sooner to acknowledge its mistake.
The error was disclosed in a memo leaked to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The furore led BBC director general Tim Davie and top news executive Deborah Turness to resign.
A BBC spokesperson said they would be defending the case but would not comment further on ongoing proceedings.
