US President Donald Trump’s multi-billion-dollar defamation lawsuit against the BBC is scheduled for trial in February 2027, court documents show. The trial, set to take place in Miami, will last two weeks.
Trump is suing over a Panorama episode that he alleges edited his speech in a way that made it appear he directly encouraged the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. His legal team has described the edit as “false and defamatory,” seeking compensation for the alleged damage.
The BBC has previously apologised for the edit but rejected Trump’s claims for compensation, maintaining there is no basis for a defamation or trade practices case. The corporation plans to file a motion to dismiss by 17 March 2026, arguing the Florida court lacks personal jurisdiction, the venue is improper, and Trump has “failed to state a claim.”
A Florida judge recently denied the BBC’s request to delay discovery, calling the motion “premature,” meaning both sides will continue to exchange relevant documents and evidence ahead of the trial.
A BBC spokesman said: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
Melissa Enoch
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