Judge allows Trump’s $10bn defamation case against BBC to proceed

A federal judge in Florida has allowed US President Donald Trump's $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed, despite the broadcaster's attempt to dismiss the case. Judge Jeffrey Kuntz dismissed one claim in the lawsuit under Florida's unfair trade practices law, but allowed the defamation allegations to continue. Trump is suing the BBC over an edited episode of Panorama that showed portions of a speech he gave before the Capitol riot in 2021, which he claims was done in a deceptive and malicious manner.

The BBC has apologized for the broadcast and said it "mistakenly gave the impression" that Trump called for violent action. The broadcaster argues that the program does not meet the legal criteria for defamation and was not available in the US. Trump's lawsuit accuses the BBC of "intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring" the speech. Kuntz did not rule on the merits of the case, stating that it will be determined at a later time.