donald trump has finally picked a fight he can't win

Donald Trump doesn’t have accountability in mind (Picture: Getty Images)

Donald Trump announced in December 2025 that he was suing the BBC in the US for defamation and violation of a trade practices law.

He stated that he would be seeking up to $10 billion (£7.5 billion) over how the BBC edited a clip of his 6 January 2021 speech ahead of the Capitol riot.

The point of a figure like that wasn’t about fair compensation,or even an already rich man trying to make himself even richer.

Today,the BBC said it will move to have the case thrown out – exactly what you’d expect from a serious broadcaster that refuses to be bullied into settling,and I’ll be cheering them on. 

The BBC showed they would not bow down to Trump’s intended intimidation and arguable plans of hamstringing the corporation with years of legal bills,months of headlines,and a chill that lingers long after the case,or even his Presidency,is over.

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If you think that’s a healthy direction for Britain,you’re kidding yourself.

This is why the government must stop treating Trump like a storm you can hide from by keeping your head down.

Keir Starmer has tried the low-profile,no-drama approach. But appeasement doesn’t buy you stability – the US has reportedly suspended the UK’s ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’ that we worked so hard for – it just buys the next demand.

I am therefore very proud of the BBC for standing its ground against this ridiculous,and laughable lawsuit. Starmer may be keeping its head in the sand,but the BBC are not.

Ministers must back the BBC publicly and make clear that attempts to weaponise US courts against UK public institutions won’t go anywhere. Stop acting as if the only choice is ‘keep quiet or risk a tantrum’.

A tantrum is coming either way.

Before anyone says ‘Well,the BBC deserves it’ – remember what’s actually at stake.

The BBC is not just another broadcaster. It’s one of the few institutions that still tries – however imperfectly – to serve everyone.

It makes the stuff we argue about,yes,but it also makes the stuff we share: radio,drama,sport,children’s TV and local services.

The World Service in particular is Britain at its best: trusted information in places where truth is dangerous and scarce.

In Afghanistan,where girls have been barred from education,the BBC World Service has been running an educational programme offering lessons hosted by Afghan female journalists evacuated after the Taliban takeover.

British values of trusted information and world-class education proudly exported by the BBC to those who need it most.

That is what you’re defending when you defend the BBC. Not a presenter you dislike. Not a single editorial call you disagreed with.

Not a song contest losing its soul right now. Something bigger: an idea that public-interest media is worth having,worth arguing with,and worth protecting from bullies.

So yes,demand a better BBC. Push for reform. Call out its blind spots.

But don’t mistake Trump’s attack for ‘accountability’. This isn’t about one edit,one lawsuit,or even one broadcaster.

This is a battle for the soul of our country about whether we still believe in public service,shared facts,and in institutions we can criticise without destroying.

The BBC are rightly defending themselves and showing that though they made a mistake,this lawsuit is absurd and threatens our nation.

The moment we don’t answer that is the moment we trade that soul for fear,vendettas and power.

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