Trump doubles down on billion greenback BBC risk and claims it ‘defrauds public’
US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat of legal action against the BBC over the editing of a speech just days after Tim Davie resigned over the chaotic situation
US President Donald Trump has accused the BBC of “defrauding the public”, stating that he feels compelled to take legal action over the editing of one of his speeches. Tim Davie, the Director-General, resigned on Sunday amidst a scandal involving the editing of a speech by Mr Trump prior to the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
During an interview on Fox News, Mr Trump reiterated his threat to initiate a billion-dollar lawsuit. He stated: “I think I have an obligation to do it, you can’t allow people to do that.
“I guess I have to. They defrauded the public and they’ve admitted it. This is within one of our great allies, supposedly our great ally.
“That’s a pretty sad event. They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical.
“They showed me the results of how they butchered it up. It was very dishonest and the head man quit and a lot of the other people quit.”
A legal letter from Trump’s counsel, Alejandro Brito, has demanded the immediate retraction of “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements” made about Mr Trump.
The letter warns that if the BBC “does not comply”, Mr Trump will be “left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages”.
Downing Street has hinted that Sir Keir Starmer has not yet had a conversation with Mr Trump regarding his threatened legal action.
Mr Trump’s remarks follow Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s call for the BBC to “renew its mission for the modern age” and her caution to MPs criticising the broadcaster to “consider just what is at stake”.
The decennial review of the broadcaster’s charter is due to commence soon, with Ms Nandy asserting it will ensure a BBC that remains “fiercely independent” and “genuinely accountable” to its audience.
Addressing the Commons, she said: “There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself, because the BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all.”
With the BBC’s charter set to expire at the end of 2027, the review process is about to kick off amidst controversy surrounding the organisation following the resignations of Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, who stepped down as chief executive of BBC News.
Ms Nandy confirmed that the charter review process will start shortly, assuring MPs: “Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public’s trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK.
“In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves.”
In the midst of discussions about the impartiality of the public broadcaster, a number of Labour backbenchers have urged Ms Nandy to dismiss Sir Robbie Gibb, who served as a political adviser to Theresa May during her tenure as prime minister, from the BBC Board.
Responding to a query from Labour MP Sarah Owen (Luton North), Ms Nandy clarified: “The charter sets a strict legal threshold that must be met before dismissal of a board member, and so I am unable to pursue the course of action that she suggests.”
Mr Davie addressed BBC staff, emphasising the need for the corporation to “stand up for our journalism”, asserting that its narrative “will not just be given by our enemies”.
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