Donald Trump’s defamation case against the BBC over a Panorama documentary is set to go to trial after the broadcaster’s bid to dismiss the case failed.

The US president filed legal action in December 2025 over the editing of a Panorama documentary which included footage of Trump’s speech at a rally before the US Capitol riots in 2021.

The documentary editors spliced two parts of his speech together into what appeared to be one quote. The documentary appeared to show the President telling supporters: “We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol… and I’ll be with you… and we fight. We fight like hell.”

The broadcaster apologised to Trump, and director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness resigned. But when his lawyer demanded compensation or threatened to file a lawsuit, the BBC refused, and Trump filed a $10bn lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida.

In July, as part of discovery, the judge ordered Trump to disclose financial details about his businesses. Last month, he was then ordered to cooperate with the discovery process mandated and to sit for sworn testimony by 11 December, or his case would be dropped.

Motion to throw out case

Earlier this month, the broadcaster filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing the Miami court lacked jurisdiction and that “President Trump fails to state a claim”. The BBC’s main argument is that, as a British broadcaster, the programme was aimed at a UK audience, so the US court isn’t the place for this case.

However, Trump-appointed Judge Jeffrey Kuntz dismissed the BBC’s motion on Tuesday. In his ruling, the judge pointed out that “to make sure it [documentary] was seen in Florida, BBC even emailed US and Florida-based commenters with instructions on how to view the documentary.” The judge also noted that the BBC is a global organisation with an office in Florida.

On Trump’s claim, the judge ruled that his claims “extend beyond negligence and plead a claim of recklessness” and, he added, “that is more than enough to satisfy the notice-pleading standard.”

In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump said the ruling was “a huge victory against fake news BBC, a terrible abuser of the truth.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We are surprised by this decision but respect the Court’s authority and note the case will now proceed to the next stage.”

“We remain confident in our position and will continue to respond through the proper legal process,” they added.