Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against BBC going to trial in Florida in 2027
Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, stemming from a Panorama program's editing, is scheduled for trial in Florida in 2027.Summary
A defamation lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump against the BBC has been scheduled for a two-week trial in Miami, Florida, beginning February 15, 2027. The lawsuit, seeking up to $10 billion in damages, centers around a 2024 Panorama program that Trump's lawyers claim falsely portrayed him as encouraging supporters to storm the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, by splicing a clip from his speech. Specifically, the program included a clip where Mr. Trump said, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol… and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” The BBC is contesting the lawsuit, arguing that the Florida court lacks jurisdiction, the venue is improper, and Trump has failed to state a valid claim, asserting the documentary wasn't created or broadcast in Florida and wasn't available on BritBox in the US. The court has ordered both parties to select a mediator by March 3, 2026, and a calendar call is scheduled for February 9, 2027, to finalize trial preparations.
(Source：Shropshire Star)