BBC Admits Editing Trump's January 6 Speech in Documentary
The BBC admits editing Trump's January 6 speech, apologizes, sees two top executives resign, and denies defamation.
Event / Politics
Trump BBC Defamation Lawsuit
U.S. President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over its 'Trump: A Second Chance' documentary continues in Miami federal court. A magistrate judge ordered Trump to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11, 2026, after he canceled an Oct. 16 deposition date. The BBC has subpoenaed former special counsel Jack Smith, and Trump's lawyers oppose that deposition. The BBC has acknowledged splicing quotes from Trump's Jan. 6, 2021 speech, apologized, and seen its director-general and top news executive resign, but denies the documentary defamed Trump.
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2026-10-22 to 2026-10-27 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 19:21 UTC
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What happened
BBC acknowledged editing Trump's Jan. 6, 2021 speech in documentary
The BBC acknowledged that filmmakers spliced together quotes from different sections of a speech Trump delivered to supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, before the storming of the U.S. Capitol. The edited footage made it appear he was directly urging violence.
BBC apologized and its director-general and top news executive resigned over the speech edit
The BBC apologized for the editing of Trump's Jan. 6, 2021 speech in its documentary. The head of the BBC and its top news executive both resigned following the controversy.
BBC subpoenas former special counsel Jack Smith in Trump lawsuit
The BBC subpoenaed former special counsel Jack Smith, who is not a party to the case, to testify in Trump's defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. Trump's lawyers filed a joint motion arguing Smith lacks personal knowledge of the issues and that his testimony would be duplicative. The judge addressed the dispute at the Oct. 22, 2026 hearing.
BBC denies that its documentary defamed Trump
The BBC has denied Trump's claims that its documentary defamed him.
Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC in December 2025
Trump filed a lawsuit seeking $10 billion in damages against the BBC in December 2025. The suit alleges defamation and deceptive and unfair trade practices related to the BBC documentary 'Trump: A Second Chance.'
Trump canceled an agreed-upon Oct. 16 deposition date
Trump canceled a deposition date of Oct. 16, 2026, that had been agreed upon by the parties in the BBC defamation lawsuit, citing a matter of national importance. The BBC's attorneys stated that the deposition had not taken place as of the hearing.
Federal magistrate judge orders Trump to sit for deposition by Dec. 11 in BBC lawsuit
U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11, 2026. The order was issued at a hearing in Miami.
Trump must sit for deposition by Dec. 11 or face sanctions up to dismissal
The court ruled that Trump must sit for a deposition by Dec. 11, 2026, or face sanctions up to dismissal of his lawsuit against the BBC, unless the discovery period is extended beyond Dec. 18, 2026. Only the presiding judge assigned to the case can alter the trial schedule.
Discovery in BBC lawsuit scheduled to end Dec. 18, 2026
Discovery in Trump's defamation lawsuit against the BBC is scheduled to end on Dec. 18, 2026. During discovery, lawyers for both sides exchange documents and other evidence.
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Judge Orders Trump Deposition by December 11 or Face Sanctions
A Miami federal judge ordered Trump to sit for a deposition by December 11 or face possible sanctions.