The News Agents Will the BBC face down Trump in court?
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Nov 11, 2025 Join Sir Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, as he delves into the BBC's precarious situation amid a $1 billion lawsuit threat from Donald Trump. He argues that the broadcaster must stand firm against foreign interference and fight the legal challenge. The discussion touches on the weak legal merits of Trump’s case, the internal turmoil at the BBC, and the growing political pressure surrounding the situation. Davey advocates for robust political support for the BBC to uphold its role in truth-telling.
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Trump's Case Is Weak But Intimidating
- Emily Maitlis and others argue Trump's legal case against the BBC is weak and would likely fail in court.
- They say his aim is to intimidate journalists, not to win a legitimate defamation claim.
US Libel Law Makes Suit Harder
- Lewis Goodall explains US defamation law sets a higher bar than the UK and the Panorama may not have been available in the US.
- He argues those facts make a US libel claim difficult to sustain.
Attack Has Geopolitical And Domestic Roots
- Emily Maitlis highlights geopolitical stakes: Trump's attack on the BBC meshes with a transatlantic radical right movement.
- She warns UK figures cheering Trump reveal a domestic political alignment that endangers the broadcaster.