Trump's $10B Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC Set for 2027 Trial

A U.S. judge rejected the BBC's attempt to delay the proceedings over its edited Jan. 6 speech coverage.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A U.S. judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC can go to trial in 2027. Trump filed the lawsuit in December 2025 over the way the BBC edited a speech he gave on January 6, 2021, which the broadcaster used in a documentary before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The judge rejected the BBC's attempt to postpone the legal proceedings and set a provisional trial start date of February 15, 2027.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between Trump and media organizations over their coverage of him, particularly around the events of January 6, 2021. It also raises questions about how media outlets can use and edit political speeches, and the potential consequences for defamation claims.

The details

In the BBC documentary 'Trump: A Second Chance?', the broadcaster spliced together three quotes from two sections of Trump's January 6, 2021 speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to 'march with me and fight like hell.' The BBC later apologized, but Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit claiming defamation and unfair trade practices.

  • Trump filed the lawsuit in December 2025.
  • The judge set a provisional trial start date of February 15, 2027.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC.

BBC

The British national broadcaster that aired a documentary featuring edited footage of Trump's January 6, 2021 speech, leading to the lawsuit.

Judge Roy K. Altman

The federal judge for the Southern District of Florida who rejected the BBC's attempt to delay the proceedings and set a provisional trial date.

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What’s next

The BBC plans to file a motion to dismiss the case on the basis that the court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump failed to state a claim. The judge said this motion is 'premature' and the discovery process, where the BBC may have to turn over documents related to its coverage of Trump, will proceed.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and the media over their coverage of him, particularly around the events of January 6, 2021. It raises important questions about how media outlets can use and edit political speeches, and the potential legal consequences for defamation claims.