US government reportedly considering joining Trump's $10B defamation lawsuit against BBC

Published Jul 16, 12:01 PM UTC

The U.S. government is reportedly considering joining President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, according to the Financial Times. The lawsuit, filed in December, alleges the BBC deceptively edited Trump's January 6, 2021 speech in a Panorama documentary, making it appear he called for violence. The BBC has apologized for the editing but is challenging the suit. The government's potential involvement, citing BBC subpoenas to federal agencies, has raised concerns at the BBC, which argues it creates a conflict of interest as Trump is using his presidential powers. The trial is scheduled to begin on February 15, 2027, in Florida federal court.