Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared his intent to sue the BBC, alleging that the broadcaster misrepresented a segment of his January 6, 2021, speech in a Panorama documentary. In an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed his speech was ‘butchered’ and accused the BBC of ‘defrauding’ the public by editing it to appear more radical. This marks the first public statement from Trump since his legal team sent a letter to the BBC demanding a $1 billion (£759 million) settlement, a retraction, and an apology. The BBC has acknowledged receipt of the letter and stated it will respond in due course. The controversy stems from a leaked internal BBC memo, published by the Daily Telegraph, which revealed concerns over the editing process. The memo suggested the edit implied Trump explicitly encouraged the Capitol riot, a claim he denies. The fallout has led to the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness. The BBC’s editorial integrity has come under scrutiny, with critics questioning its impartiality. The legal threat coincides with a sensitive period for the BBC, as its royal charter, governing its funding and operations, is set to expire in 2027. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of renewing the BBC’s mission for the modern age while ensuring accountability. The culture select committee is expected to hear evidence from senior BBC figures in the coming weeks, including Chair Samir Shah and former editorial standards adviser Michael Prescott. Meanwhile, Reform UK has withdrawn its cooperation with a BBC documentary, citing the Trump controversy as a reason to halt the project.