US President Donald Trump says he feels a “duty” to sue a British broadcaster for altering a section of his 6 January 2021 speech in a Panorama documentary. Speaking to Fox News, he said the edit “butchered” his words and “misled” viewers. This is his first public comment since his lawyers threatened to seek $1 billion unless the organisation retracts the documentary, apologises, and pays damages.
Trump says public was deceived
In an interview on The Ingraham Angle, Trump confirmed he plans to pursue legal action. “Well, I guess I have to,” he said. “They deceived the public, and they admitted it.” He described his speech as “a beautiful, calming address” and accused editors of twisting its tone. “They actually changed it,” he added. “What they did was incredible.”
Pressed again about the lawsuit, Trump said, “I think I have an obligation to do it. You can’t allow people to do that.” The interview was recorded Monday but aired on Fox News Tuesday evening in the US.
Legal team demands retraction and compensation
Trump’s lawyers sent a letter on Sunday demanding a full retraction, a public apology, and compensation for reputational harm. The letter set a response deadline of 22:00 GMT on Friday. The broadcaster said it would respond in due course, while its news division declined to comment on Trump’s remarks.
Trump’s history of media conflicts
Since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly threatened legal action against major outlets over coverage he considers false. He settled cases with CBS News and ABC News for large sums and has also pursued action against The New York Times.
How the edit caused controversy
The disputed footage appeared in a Panorama documentary aired just before the November 2024 US presidential election. It gained attention after The Daily Telegraph published a leaked internal memo last week. The memo, written by a former adviser to the broadcaster’s editorial standards committee, said the edit could make Trump appear to have encouraged the Capitol riot.
In his original remarks, Trump said: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.” The documentary spliced two segments spoken more than 50 minutes apart. The final version showed him saying: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol… and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.”
Resignations follow backlash
The controversy led to the resignation of director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. Both defended their record and rejected claims of bias. Speaking to staff, Davie admitted “mistakes were made” but urged employees to “stand firm.” He said, “This story won’t just be told by our critics—it’s ours to define.”
Davie added that despite challenges, the organisation “continues to produce journalism that speaks louder than any political attack.” Neither he nor the chair mentioned Trump’s lawsuit during the staff meeting.
Government avoids involvement
Downing Street said the matter was for the broadcaster to handle. “It’s not for the government to comment on ongoing legal cases,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
Broadcaster faces pressure over future
The row comes as the organisation prepares for renewal of its royal charter, which governs its funding and operations, due to expire at the end of 2027. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will oversee the process. She told Parliament the talks would “modernise its mission” and ensure “full accountability.”
Nandy said: “There’s a difference between raising concerns about editorial failings and attacking the institution itself. This broadcaster isn’t just a media outlet—it’s a national institution that belongs to everyone.”
Parliamentary inquiry planned
The culture select committee will question chair Samir Shah and board members Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson. Michael Prescott, the former adviser who wrote the leaked memo, will also be invited to give evidence.
Reform UK ends documentary cooperation
Separately, an internal Reform UK email confirmed the party has ended cooperation with a documentary about its rise. The email said the production team had received “unprecedented access” to senior figures but must now withdraw permission for any footage to be used, citing the ongoing Trump dispute.
