LONDON (AP) — A U.S. judge has confirmed that President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC will go to trial in 2027. Judge Roy K. Altman, presiding in Florida, rejected the BBC's request to delay proceedings and scheduled the trial for February 2027.
Trump's lawsuit, initiated in December, stems from the BBC's editing of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, prior to the Capitol riots. The claim includes a demand for $5 billion in damages for defamation and another $5 billion for unfair trade practices.
The controversial documentary, titled Trump: A Second Chance? aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and it presented Trump's remarks in a manner that critics argue altered his intended message. The BBC reportedly cut sections where Trump advocated for peaceful demonstrations, leading to allegations of misleading representation.
Although the BBC has issued an apology for the edit, it stands by its claim that it did not defame Trump. The situation has already prompted significant leadership changes at the BBC, including the resignation of its top executive.
In anticipation of further legal proceedings, the BBC filed for a motion to dismiss based on jurisdictional grounds, arguing that Trump's claims do not hold in the court. However, the judge labeled their request for a stay on discovery as premature, indicating that the case should proceed without delay.
