Trump vs. BBC: $10 Billion Lawsuit… "U.S. Government Considering Intervention"

The U.S. government is considering intervening in a lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the British public broadcaster BBC, the Financial Times reported on July 16 (local time).

Late last year, President Trump filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, seeking $10 billion in damages—approximately 14.8 trillion Korean won—claiming that a BBC documentary regarding the January 6 Capitol riot was distorted and defamatory.

Citing court documents, the Financial Times reported that the U.S. government has informed the court that it is "considering participating in this litigation."

The report added that the U.S. government cited its involvement as a basis for intervention, noting that it has "issued 48 requests for documents to various entities, including U.S. public institutions, to the BBC."

In its response, the BBC pointed out that there is a "clear conflict of interest," stating, "While President Trump claims to have filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity, he is the sitting president, and U.S. government agencies make decisions under his direction."

The BBC has issued a public apology to President Trump regarding the editing of the documentary but has stated that it will fight the lawsuit.

The BBC is also arguing that the U.S. court should dismiss the case, as the documentary in question was not aired in the United States.

Furthermore, in a separate written submission to the court, the BBC pointed out that while President Trump claims the documentary had a negative impact on his brand, assets, and business as the basis for the lawsuit, he has refused all requests to provide his own financial information to the BBC.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.