U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion in damages, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation over its editing of his January 6, 2021, speech in a Panorama documentary.

The legal warning, issued by Trump’s attorney Alejandro Brito, demands a full retraction, public apology, and compensation by November 14 or face litigation.

The controversy centers on the October 28, 2024, episode titled “Trump: A Second Chance”, which Brito claims “maliciously” spliced segments of Trump’s speech to falsely suggest he incited violence. The edit reportedly omitted key context, including Trump’s call to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard,” instead highlighting phrases like “we fight like hell.”

Brito’s letter, addressed to BBC Chair Samir Shah and legal counsel Sarah Jones, argues that the edit demonstrated “reckless disregard for the truth” and caused “overwhelming financial and reputational harm,” especially given its timing just days before the 2024 U.S. election. Citing Florida defamation law and the 2022 Johnston v. Borders precedent, the letter asserts that even implied defamatory meanings can be actionable.

The fallout has already rocked the BBC. Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday following the leak of an internal memo by former adviser Michael Prescott. Shah has since apologized for what he called an “error of judgment,” acknowledging that the edit “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action,” though he defended the documentary’s broader accuracy.

The BBC has yet to issue a formal response to the legal threat. Sources told Sky News that Davie is expected to address staff on Thursday, as the broadcaster faces mounting scrutiny over editorial standards and impartiality.

Trump, who has previously clashed with the BBC, posted on Truth Social: “BBC lies again – sue them for everything!” Legal experts say the case, if filed, could test the boundaries of U.S.-UK media law, particularly around defamation, journalistic intent, and cross-border discovery.

As the Friday deadline approaches, the BBC must decide whether to comply with the demands or prepare for a potentially high-stakes legal battle that could reverberate across the global media landscape.