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BBC Racks Up Millions in Legal Fees to Fight Donald Trump’s $10bn Lawsuit
The BBC is facing a costly legal battle after former and current U.S. President Donald Trump filed an enormous $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British public broadcaster — a dispute that could see it rack up millions of pounds in legal fees as it prepares to defend itself in a U.S. court.
A Monumental Lawsuit in Florida
Trump’s lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Miami and centres on how the BBC’s Panorama documentary edited his January 6, 2021 speech to supporters — footage Trump’s lawyers say misrepresented his words and made it seem as if he was encouraging violent action before the U.S. Capitol attack. He has sought at least $5 billion in damages for defamation and another $5 billion for violating a Florida trade practices law, making the total demand $10 billion.
The BBC acknowledged that the way the footage was cut together gave “the mistaken impression” of what Trump said, and top executives including its director general and head of news resigned over the controversy earlier this year. But while it apologised for the editorial error, the broadcaster has rejected Trump’s legal claims, saying it believes there is no basis for a defamation suit under U.S. law.
Millions in Legal Fees — And Counting
Though the outcome of the case remains far from certain, estimates suggest that the BBC’s defence could cost tens of millions of pounds in legal fees, even if it never reaches a full trial. Commentators in the UK have indicated that if the matter is taken through extensive discovery and motions in the U.S. legal system, the bill could reach between $50 million and $100 million or more.
That figure reflects payments not just for British lawyers advising the broadcaster but also for seasoned American legal teams needed to navigate U.S. defamation law — which is generally considered more favorable to plaintiffs than UK law. Sources familiar with the case told Times Radio that the BBC is already “racking up costs paying its own American lawyers” as the case unfolds.
Political and Public Backdrop
The lawsuit has stirred political debate in both the UK and the U.S. Within Britain, lawmakers and media experts have argued over whether the government should support the BBC, with some urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to defend the corporation’s independence, while others question whether licence-fee payers should shoulder such a heavy financial burden.
Media freedom advocates stress that the case raises broader questions about press freedom and how public broadcasters handle politically sensitive coverage — particularly when facing powerful political figures who are increasingly willing to use civil lawsuits to challenge news organisations.
What’s Next?
At this stage the BBC is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing among other points that the programme was not broadcast in the U.S. in a way that could have caused Trump measurable harm. Legal experts say early filings will focus on jurisdiction and whether Trump can meet the high legal bar for defamation claims involving public figures.
But regardless of how the lawsuit ultimately plays out, the financial and reputational toll on the BBC is already very real — and with legal fees continuing to climb, the case has become one of the most expensive battles between an international media organisation and a U.S. politician in recent memory.
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