Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast 160: Shakedowns, Coups and COP 30
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Nov 18, 2025 Explore the world of legal battles as the team delves into Donald Trump's unconventional lawsuit tactics against the BBC. They discuss the implications of his legal strategies and how they serve as intimidation. The conversation shifts to the UK's immigration proposals and the challenges in asylum rules, revealing tensions within the Labour party. Finally, the podcasters tackle the ongoing climate crisis and the effectiveness of COP summits, questioning whether real progress is being made in global climate action.
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BBC Edit Is Context, Not Exoneration
- The BBC's edit of Trump's Jan 6 speech omitted context but still sits within a larger history of his problematic actions and legal losses.
- Adam McQueen argues US libel law and Florida juries make such suits a viable shakedown tactic for Trump.
Forum Shopping Gives Trump Leverage
- Florida law, jury trials, and the actual malice standard create a favorable forum for high-profile libel suits.
- McQueen warns Trump's litigation pattern leverages cost and jury sympathy rather than clear legal merit.
Florida Oddities: Zoo Baptism Story
- Helen Lewis recounts Russell Brand baptising someone at a Florida zoo, highlighting cultural oddities in the state.
- The hosts use the anecdote to colour a discussion about Florida's idiosyncratic legal and social context.
