BBC Fights Back Against Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit

Network seeks to dismiss case, citing lack of jurisdiction and failure to prove defamation

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The BBC has filed a motion to dismiss former President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the network, arguing that he failed to show the network defamed him and that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case in Florida.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of Trump filing high-profile lawsuits against media outlets he perceives as critical of him, raising questions about press freedom and the former president's continued efforts to litigate his grievances.

The details

In a court filing in Miami, BBC lawyers stated they will "raise various arguments regarding the court's lack of general and specific personal jurisdiction over them under Florida law" as well as "arguments regarding [Trump's] failure to state a claim for defamation or for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act." Trump sued the BBC last December, seeking $5 billion in damages for each of two counts - defamation and violating a Florida trade practices law. The lawsuit stems from a BBC Panorama program that aired before the 2024 election, which spliced together parts of Trump's speech from January 6, 2021 to give the impression he had urged supporters to "fight like hell."

  • The BBC filed its motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Trump sued the BBC in December 2025.

The players

BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation, a public service broadcaster headquartered in the United Kingdom.

Donald Trump

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

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to dismiss the lawsuit in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the media and former President Trump, who has a history of filing high-profile lawsuits against news outlets he perceives as critical of him. The outcome could have significant implications for press freedom and the ability of public figures to use the courts to silence unfavorable coverage.