Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC Scheduled for 2027 Trial in Florida
A Florida judge has ordered that former US President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation will proceed to trial in February 2027. The case, which centers on the editing of a Panorama television programme, has been set for a two-week hearing at the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr US Courthouse in Miami.
Legal Battle Over Panorama Programme Editing
Court documents filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida list President Donald J Trump as plaintiff and the British Broadcasting Corporation et al as defendants. The lawsuit stems from a Panorama episode broadcast in 2024 that faced criticism for its editing of Mr Trump's speech from January 6, 2021.
The programme appeared to show Mr Trump saying: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol... and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell." Mr Trump's legal team claims this editing created a false and defamatory impression that he encouraged supporters to storm the Capitol building.
BBC's Motion to Dismiss and Jurisdictional Arguments
The BBC has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on multiple grounds. According to court documents, the corporation argues that:
- The Florida court lacks personal jurisdiction over the BBC
- The court venue is improper for this case
- Mr Trump has failed to state a valid legal claim
The BBC maintains it did not create, produce, or broadcast the documentary in Florida and disputes Mr Trump's claim that the programme was available in the United States through the streaming service BritBox.
Trial Schedule and Mediation Requirements
Judge Roy K Altman's court order, issued on February 11, 2026, establishes a detailed timeline for the legal proceedings:
- The trial is scheduled for the two-week period beginning February 15, 2027
- A calendar call for all parties is set for 1:45 PM on February 9, 2027
- Proceedings will take place in Courtroom 12-4 at the Miami courthouse
- Parties must select a mediator by March 3, 2026
The court documents specify that if the parties cannot agree on a mediator, the clerk will designate one on a blind rotation basis. All proceedings are scheduled to be conducted at the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr US Courthouse located at 400 N Miami Avenue in Miami, Florida.
BBC's Response and Legal Strategy
A BBC spokesperson stated: "As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings." The corporation has taken legal steps to have the lawsuit dismissed entirely, arguing that the editing in question did not constitute defamation and that Florida is not the appropriate jurisdiction for the case.
Mr Trump is seeking up to $10 billion (approximately £7.5 billion) in damages, claiming the edited Panorama programme caused significant harm to his reputation. The case represents one of the largest defamation claims in recent legal history and highlights ongoing tensions between media organizations and public figures over editorial decisions.
