Seeking to have the case dismissed

Written by

Ophelia Benson

in

Trump’s lawsuit may bite him in the ass.

In defending against Donald Trump’s defamation claim, the BBC has demanded extensive records from November 2020 to January 2021, including phone logs, schedules, and diaries. The broadcaster also wants names of everyone Trump communicated with regarding the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally and Capitol riot. 

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Trump’s lawsuit, filed in December 2025, alleges that a Panorama episode spliced two separate remarks to create the impression he directly urged violence on January 6, omitting his call for peaceful protest. The BBC apologised for the edit, calling it an ‘error of judgment’, but denied defamation and refused compensation. The fallout led to high-profile resignations at the BBC and triggered a claim for £7.5 billion in damages under defamation and deceptive trade practices laws.

The BBC is seeking to have the case dismissed, arguing that the Miami court lacks jurisdiction since the programme was neither produced nor broadcast in Florida or the US. Its lawyers also contend Trump cannot show harm given his re-election and strong Florida win after the broadcast. Press freedom groups have labelled the suit a potential SLAPP case, noting the high ‘actual malice’ standard Trump must meet to succeed. 

Legal commentators note that Trump’s lawsuit risks exposing him to the very scrutiny he has long tried to avoid, with the BBC’s discovery requests potentially opening a window into his actions around January 6. This dynamic is a common pitfall in defamation cases, where plaintiffs’ conduct becomes subject to examination. Whether the court grants the BBC’s requests will determine if Trump must disclose records he has fought to keep private.

Please please please please please make it happen.

Comments

3 responses to “Seeking to have the case dismissed”

  1. The Whimster Gap Avatar
    The Whimster Gap

    He really is in a bind. Of course, he’ll fight disclosure; but that would make it look as though he has something to hide, in which case his suit would suffer because what kind of plaintiff does nothing to demonstrate the merit of his complaint? So his other alternative is to fold; but that makes it look as though giving up on a $10bn suit is a better option than disclosing his records. And that’s not exactly a good look either.

  2. maddog1129 Avatar
    maddog1129

    I don’t think he cares about what doesn’t look good. He can brazen out anything as long as the evidence isn’t released. He doesn’t want disclosure, so Don TACO will fold his tortilla again.

  3. KBPlayer Avatar
    KBPlayer

    Like a lot of Brits I have been annoyed by the Beeb in many ways, but I’m glad they’re sticking to their guns in this case. I wish they hadn’t had any resignations. Even if that stroked Trump’s needy ego, he would forget about it in 5 minutes.

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