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A Florida Judge Lets Trump’s $10 Billion Defamation Case Against the BBC Proceed
By Eleanor Ever Loyal
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A federal judge in Florida has allowed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed, rejecting the broadcaster’s bid to dismiss the central claim while throwing out a separate claim under Florida’s consumer-protection law.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz ruled Tuesday that Trump’s defamation allegations were sufficient to continue, according to the BBC’s own report on Wednesday, November 11. The judge dismissed Trump’s second claim under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, finding that the documentary at the center of the dispute did not constitute commercial speech.
The ruling does not decide whether Trump can prove that the BBC defamed him or establish the damages he is seeking. Those questions remain for a possible summary judgment decision or trial, the BBC reported.
The lawsuit concerns a BBC Panorama episode that edited together two sections of a speech Trump delivered before the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump alleges that the broadcaster intentionally, maliciously and deceptively altered the speech.
The BBC previously apologized, saying the broadcast gave viewers the mistaken impression that Trump had made a direct call for violent action. The broadcaster sought dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that the program did not meet the criteria for defamation and was not available to viewers in the United States.
The judge’s decision allows the defamation claim to move forward despite the BBC’s arguments. It does not resolve the dispute over whether the documentary was accessible to American audiences, a question that has featured in the case.
Earlier this year, Trump’s lawyers conceded they had no evidence that the documentary was available in the United States through BritBox, BBC Select or U.S. broadcasters, according to the BBC’s report. Trump also agreed to drop BBC Studios from the case after the broadcaster argued that the company had no role in creating or producing the documentary.
A BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster was surprised by the judge’s decision, respected the court’s authority and remained confident in its position. The spokesperson said the BBC would respond through the legal process.
Trump described the ruling as a “huge victory” in a post on Truth Social.
The case also has a pending deposition deadline. Trump was ordered last month to answer questions under oath by December 11 after cancelling an earlier scheduled deposition, the BBC reported. That deadline remains a significant next step as the litigation continues.
The lawsuit seeks $10 billion (£7.5 billion) in damages. The judge’s ruling means the BBC must continue defending the defamation claim, but the case has not established that the broadcaster is liable or that Trump is entitled to damages.
The dispute now proceeds with the central claim intact, the separate consumer-protection claim dismissed and Trump’s sworn testimony scheduled for next month.
— Eleanor Ever Loyal, National Desk
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