标签： North America

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 Meanwhile, Reform UK has withdrawn its cooperation with a BBC documentary, citing the Trump controversy as a reason to halt the project.

Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, has officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Congress. The announcement, made on Tuesday, positions him as a contender for the New York congressional seat being vacated by Representative Jerrold Nadler, who is retiring after over 30 years in office. Schlossberg, known for his bold political commentary on social media, aims to bring a fresh perspective to the Democratic Party, emphasizing the need to counter what he describes as ‘abuses of power’ by former President Donald Trump and his allies. With a combined following of nearly 2 million on Instagram and TikTok, Schlossberg has been vocal about engaging younger voters in politics. His campaign, launched with a series of social media posts and a dedicated website, outlines ’12 promises to the people of New York’s 12th district’ and calls for a ‘new generation of leadership.’ Schlossberg, who served as Vogue’s political correspondent during the 2024 election, credits his family’s legacy of public service as a driving force behind his decision to run. He has been particularly critical of Trump’s administration, including his estranged cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he has labeled a ‘loser.’ Schlossberg’s bid comes as Democrats strategize to regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. ‘Without control of Congress, there’s almost nothing we can do,’ he stated in an interview with The New York Times. The primary race for NY-12 is heating up, with other Democratic candidates, including state assemblymen Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, as well as veteran journalist Jami Floyd, also vying for the seat. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has yet to endorse a candidate in the primary.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a legal threat to the BBC, demanding $1 billion in damages over a documentary he claims contains ‘false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements’ about him. Trump’s legal team has called for a full retraction, a public apology, and compensation for reputational and financial harm allegedly caused by the Panorama programme, which aired in the UK ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The documentary reportedly edited Trump’s speech to suggest he explicitly encouraged the January 2021 Capitol Hill riot. A leaked memo from a former BBC adviser criticized the editing as misleading. BBC Chairman Samir Shah acknowledged an ‘error of judgement,’ while outgoing Director General Tim Davie admitted to an ‘editorial breach.’ However, legal experts argue that Trump faces significant hurdles in winning such a lawsuit, particularly under U.S. defamation laws, which require proof of ‘actual malice.’ Trump has indicated plans to file the lawsuit in Florida, where the statute of limitations is more favorable, but he must also demonstrate that the documentary caused substantial harm and was accessible in the state. The BBC could argue that Florida lacks jurisdiction due to insufficient exposure of the content there. Trump has a history of suing media organizations, often securing settlements, but critics view these actions as attempts to intimidate the press. The BBC has yet to respond to Trump’s demands, with a deadline set for November 14.