WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2026 — President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation, accusing the network of airing a documentary that he says misleadingly edited his January 6, 2021 speech at the U.S. Capitol in an effort to influence the 2024 election.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court this week, centers on a program released in the days leading up to the election. According to the complaint, the documentary featured excerpts of Mr. Trump’s remarks before the Capitol riot but omitted portions in which he urged supporters to remain peaceful. The president contends that the edits created a distorted portrayal of his words and intent.

In the speech, delivered near the White House on January 6, Mr. Trump told supporters, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol,” adding that they needed to “fight like hell.” The lawsuit argues that the BBC excluded language in which he encouraged peaceful conduct, including a line about walking to the Capitol to “cheer.” His legal team maintains that the omissions materially altered the context of the address.

The BBC said in a statement that it would defend the case. “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case,” the network said, noting that it had earlier rejected requests for compensation from the president. A senior BBC news executive stepped down in the wake of the controversy, though the organization has not directly linked the resignation to the lawsuit.

The filing adds to a series of high-profile legal disputes involving media organizations and Mr. Trump. It also comes amid renewed scrutiny of how networks handle live appearances by political figures.

Earlier this month, an interview with Mr. Trump on Fox News ended abruptly when the network cut away from the live broadcast. Fox later attributed the interruption to a technical issue. However, video circulating online appeared to show a deliberate production transition rather than a signal loss.

During the interview, Mr. Trump criticized the host and made claims regarding judges and other public officials. The exchange grew increasingly combative before the feed was cut. Fox declined to comment beyond its initial statement.

The episode underscored the balance networks face when airing live political content, particularly in the aftermath of Fox’s 2023 settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation claims related to the 2020 election. While Fox did not admit wrongdoing, the settlement prompted broader industry conversations about editorial oversight and legal exposure.

Mr. Trump responded to the cutaway by criticizing Fox on his social media platform, Truth Social, accusing the network of disloyalty. The public dispute marked a notable strain in a relationship that has historically been mutually beneficial. For years, Fox has provided Mr. Trump with a prominent platform, and he has remained a central figure in its programming.

Political analysts say the developments arrive at a sensitive moment, as both parties look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections. Some Republican strategists privately acknowledge concerns about message discipline, while Democrats have pointed to the Fox incident as evidence of tension within conservative media circles.

Internationally, the lawsuit against the BBC has drawn attention in the United Kingdom, where debates over the broadcaster’s editorial independence are longstanding. Legal experts caution that Mr. Trump faces significant hurdles in his case, particularly under U.S. standards that require public figures to demonstrate “actual malice” in defamation claims.

For now, the twin controversies — a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against a foreign public broadcaster and an on-air rupture with a longstanding media ally — signal an intensifying confrontation between Mr. Trump and major news institutions, with potential implications that extend beyond the courtroom.