Trump Targets BBC with Renewed Legal Threats Amidst Director-General Appointment
Former US President Donald Trump has reignited his vocal criticism of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), launching a fresh barrage of accusations as the organisation announced its new director-general. Trump, who has consistently labelled the broadcaster as “crooked,” claimed the BBC had deliberately misrepresented his words, stating the organisation had “put ‘horrible’ words in my mouth” and asserting that it “has to be taught a lesson.”
The former President’s latest broadside comes as Matt Brittin, formerly of Google, was unveiled as the BBC’s new chief. Brittin is set to assume his new role on May 18, inheriting a significant legal challenge initiated by Trump over the editing of a BBC Panorama documentary.
Trump alleges that the documentary, broadcast in 2024, created a false impression that he had incited his supporters to storm the US Capitol building in 2021 following his election defeat. This particular episode of Panorama has drawn considerable criticism for its perceived misrepresentation of Trump’s statements.
The controversy surrounding the documentary led to the resignation of the then BBC director-general, Tim Davie. In the wake of the fallout, BBC Chairman Samir Shah issued an apology on behalf of the broadcaster, acknowledging an “error of judgment” and conceding that the documentary’s editing had indeed given “the impression of a direct call for violent action.”
The BBC has actively contested Trump’s legal action, filing a motion earlier this month to dismiss the $10 billion (£7.5 billion) lawsuit lodged in Florida. The corporation argued that the lawsuit posed a “chilling effect” on “robust reporting on public figures and events.” Furthermore, the BBC has challenged the jurisdiction of the Florida court, citing that the programme was never aired within the state or the United States.
During a fundraising dinner for Republican Congressional candidates in Washington D.C., ahead of the midterm elections where his party faces potential losses in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump highlighted his past successes in securing compensation from other news outlets. He told supporters, “It’s actually pretty good. You know, if you bring lawsuits against these guys, they’re so corrupt that they pay it.”
He elaborated on his grievances with the BBC, stating, “This one hasn’t been determined yet. How about (the) BBC. When they put me out and they have me saying… things that I never said that were terrible.” Trump reiterated his accusation, asserting, “It turned out they put out news and they changed my words, having me say a horrible thing.”
The former President went on to claim that his team had investigated the matter, concluding, “It turned out it was done by fake news. It was fake news. They put words in my mouth, sentences and paragraphs in my mouth that were so horrible.” He expressed his conviction in the validity of his lawsuit, stating, “So we brought a suit against them, and they admitted they were guilty. Can you believe that’s how crooked they are? Now it’s only a question of how much do I get.” Trump concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for accountability, asserting, “No, they have to be taught a lesson, because they’re crooked. They’re crooked people.”
The New Director-General and His Mandate
Matt Brittin’s appointment as the new director-general comes at a critical juncture for the BBC, with the Trump lawsuit being one of the most immediate and high-profile challenges he will face. Brittin’s salary will be £565,000, mirroring the current compensation of his predecessor, Tim Davie.
Brittin brings a wealth of experience from the technology sector, having worked at Google for over a decade, eventually heading their EMEA region. Prior to his career in tech, Brittin was an accomplished rower, representing Great Britain at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and securing a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships in 1989. He is also an alumnus of Cambridge University, where he participated in the prestigious Boat Races. His contributions to technology and digital skills were recognised with a CBE in the King’s New Year Honours list earlier this year.
Tim Davie’s tenure as director-general, which began in 2020, concluded with his resignation in November 2025, a decision made concurrently with the departure of Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News. The BBC has been contacted for comment regarding Donald Trump’s latest statements.
