The BBC has issued a formal apology to Donald Trump after one of its programs, Panorama, aired an edited version of his January 6th, 2021, speech ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Key Points
- BBC Apology: The BBC formally apologized to Donald Trump for an “error of judgment” in editing his January 6th speech for a Panorama program in 2024.
- The Edit: The program allegedly removed parts of the speech where Trump repeatedly instructed protestors to be peaceful, making the clip appear as if he was encouraging violence.
- Resignations: The controversy resulted in the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News Chief Executive Deborah Turness
- Trump’s Lawsuit: Trump was “furious” with the edit and confirmed he is moving forward with legal action, threatening to sue the BBC for over $1 billion
- Not Isolated: Reports emerged that the editing was not an isolated incident, with concerns about a separate edit on the Newsnight program.
Story
The controversy erupted when the BBC’s flagship current affairs program, Panorama, broadcast an edited clip of Donald Trump’s January 6th, 2021, speech just one week before the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Critics, including Trump, argue the editing was “deceptive” and intentionally removed lines where he urged his supporters to remain peaceful, making his comments sound “radical” and as if he was inciting violence. The clip aired with an introduction that suggested Trump was “encouraging violence.”
Following intense pressure and a threat of a $1 billion-plus lawsuit from Trump, the BBC issued an apology, calling the edit an “error of judgment.” The broadcaster also stated the program “will not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platform.” However, the fallout was severe, with Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News Chief Executive Deborah Turness both resigning from their roles.
Despite the apology, Trump’s press secretary confirmed that the former President is proceeding with legal action against the BBC, calling the edit a “classic example of fake news.”
Furthermore, reports by The Telegraph suggest this may not have been an isolated issue, with a separate instance of an allegedly misleading edit of the same speech being raised on the Newsnight program. The BBC has stated it is now “looking into this.”
Source: Sky News Australia, November 14, 2025
