BBC bid to throw out Donald Trump's defamation case dismissed in court

The BBC's attempt to have Donald Trump's $10bn (£7.5bn) defamation claim thrown out has been dismissed by a Florida court.

The US president is suing the broadcaster over the editing of a BBC Panorama documentary in 2024, which included footage of Mr Trump's speech at a rally before the US Capitol riots in 2021.

The programme, broadcast before the 2024 US elections, spliced together two sections of the president's speech into what appeared to be one quote.

As a result, the documentary appeared to show Mr Trump telling supporters: "We're gonna walk down to the Capitol... and I'll be with you... and we fight. We fight like hell."

The BBC apologised for the editing.

Despite a BBC bid to have the case dismissed, arguing it would have a "chilling effect" on "robust reporting on public figures and events", a judge has ruled it can proceed.

Florida District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz wrote in a court ruling filed on Tuesday that the US president "has plausibly alleged a comprehensive framework of actual malice" over the edit "along with a long list of circumstantial evidence to support a showing of actual malice".

"Trump's claims extend beyond negligence and plead a claim of recklessness," he added. "That is more than enough to satisfy the notice-pleading standard."

The judge did not decide whether Mr Trump's claims are proved - only that his case can proceed.

He also ruled that the BBC must file a response by 1 December.

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the ruling was a "Huge Victory against [the] Fake News BBC, a terrible abuser of the truth".

"We will continue fighting against, and defeating, all of those who try to deceive the American People!"

The defamation case is one of several the US president has filed against news organisations he deems to be biased against him or "fake news" since returning to the White House.

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A BBC spokesperson added: "We are surprised by this decision but respect the court's authority and note the case will now proceed to the next stage.

"We remain confident in our position and will continue to respond through the proper legal process. It would be inappropriate to comment further while proceedings are ongoing."

In a statement last November, the BBC apologised for an "error of judgment" over the documentary and accepted that the editing gave "the impression of a direct call for violent action".

Former director general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness both resigned over the row.

(c) Sky News 2026: BBC bid to throw out Donald Trump's defamation case dismissed in court