The BBC has issued a formal apology to U.S. President Donald Trump over a misleading edit of his January 6, 2021, speech, clarifying that it did not intend to defame him. This move comes amid a looming $1 billion lawsuit threat from Trump.
Chair Samir Shah personally sent a letter to the White House expressing regret for the documentary edit that aired portions of Trump’s speech before the Capitol riot, splicing together statements made nearly an hour apart. The edit unintentionally created the impression that Trump had directly called for violent action, although sections where he advocated peaceful demonstration were omitted.
The controversial segment appeared in BBC’s flagship series Panorama, in an episode titled “Trump: A Second Chance?” which aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The third-party production company behind the documentary had combined multiple parts of the speech, inadvertently changing its context.
Following the broadcast, Trump’s legal team demanded a public apology, a “full and fair” retraction, and compensation for alleged financial and reputational harm. BBC acknowledged the error, but noted it did not intend to defame the former president.
The apology comes as BBC investigates similar editing practices in its 2022 Newsnight program. Meanwhile, Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness resigned over the scandal, acknowledging the impact on the corporation’s credibility. Legal analysts suggest Trump would face hurdles if he pursued the case in English courts, especially since defamation claims there rarely exceed £100,000, and U.S. audiences could not have watched the program.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the power—and responsibility—of media in shaping public perception. Even global broadcasters like the BBC are not immune from mistakes, and acknowledging them promptly is crucial to maintaining trust.
