Despite an apology from the influential British media outlet BBC, US President Donald Trump has announced that he will take legal action against the broadcaster.
Speaking to journalists on Air Force One on Friday evening (14 November), Trump stated that they would file a lawsuit against the BBC next week, seeking damages ranging from one to five billion dollars. He also indicated that he would discuss the matter with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The controversy arose after a BBC documentary edited Trump’s remarks in a manner suggesting that he was inciting violence. Following the revelations, the BBC issued an apology. The organisation’s chairman, Samir Shah, sent a letter to the White House clarifying that they regretted how the remarks had been cut and presented for the Panorama programme. The letter also stated that the documentary would not be aired on any platform again.
The BBC said, “We sincerely apologise for the way the video clip was edited. However, we do not believe there is any basis for a defamation claim.”
Earlier in the week, Trump’s lawyers had warned the BBC that if they did not retract the statements, apologise, and offer compensation, they would face a one billion dollar lawsuit. Amid this controversy, BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News Director Deborah Turness resigned last week.
GLIVE/TSN