The BBC has pledged to mount a robust defence against a colossal $10 billion (£7.5 billion) lawsuit filed by former US President Donald Trump, despite stark warnings that the legal battle alone could cost the British broadcaster up to £75 million.
The Core of the Legal Claim
Filed in a Florida court on Monday evening, the lawsuit centres on a controversial edit in a BBC Panorama episode. The legal action contains one count of defamation and one count of violating Florida's trade practices law. This followed the corporation's apology for doctoring a clip featuring Mr Trump, an error which also led to the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and head of News Deborah Turness.
Mr Trump's legal team is seeking substantial damages, demanding $5 billion for each of the two counts. A BBC spokesman stated unequivocally on Tuesday: 'We will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.'
High Hurdles and Costly Warnings
Legal experts point out that Mr Trump faces significant challenges under US law. To overcome the strong constitutional protections for free speech and the press, he must prove not only that the edited clip was false and defamatory, but also that the BBC knowingly misled viewers or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The broadcaster's admission of an 'error of judgment' is viewed as falling well short of admitting such malice.
Christopher Ruddy, a friend of the former President and CEO of Newsmax, publicly urged the BBC to seek a settlement. He warned that litigation could cost the corporation between $50 million and $100 million (£40m-£80m) in legal fees. 'If I was looking into a crystal ball, I might say this case would settle probably around $10 million,' Mr Ruddy told the BBC's Today programme. He also cautioned that the US legal process could force the BBC to disclose further damaging details about the scandal.
Precedent and the BBC's Likely Defence
Mr Trump has a history of legal victories against media organisations, including a £12 million settlement with Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, over similar editing allegations. However, the BBC is expected to argue a key point: the Panorama episode in question never aired on US television. Their defence will likely contend the programme had no significant impact on Mr Trump's reputation among American audiences, though his lawyers may counter that Florida viewers could have accessed it via VPNs.
Dr Vasileios Adamidis of Nottingham Law School underscored the difficulties, stating the lawsuit faces 'major obstacles'. He noted that the BBC's acknowledgement does not equate to the 'knowing falsehood or recklessness' required under US law.
As it stands, the BBC is preparing for a protracted and exceptionally expensive legal fight, determined to defend its position against one of the world's most litigious public figures.
