The BBC has formally requested a US federal judge dismiss President Donald Trump's $10bn defamation lawsuit over a 2024 documentary, arguing the Florida court lacks jurisdiction. Trump filed the claim in December alleging the BBC's edited film falsely portrayed him inciting violence during the Capitol riot. However, the corporation contends the documentary was never aired in the United States, making the Florida court's involvement legally untenable. The BBC's motion highlights the case's potential chilling effect on journalistic reporting, particularly concerning coverage of powerful figures.

BBC executives view this jurisdictional challenge as the most efficient path to defeat the claim, which could otherwise drag into next year. The corporation maintains it never distributed the documentary in the US via BBC iPlayer, BritBox, or other platforms, despite Trump's assertions of 'fabricated' content. The lawsuit's dismissal would represent a significant victory for media freedom, though Trump's history of pursuing legal action against outlets like CBS and ABC suggests continued scrutiny of media coverage remains likely. The BBC apologized for editing errors in the documentary and saw its director-general and news chief resign over the scandal.