President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of the BBC, labeling it ‘crooked’ and insisting it must be taught a lesson amid a $10 billion lawsuit over a Panorama documentary’s editing.
Trump voiced these concerns during a speech at a Republican Congressional fundraising dinner in Washington DC, ahead of the November midterm elections where Republicans face risks to their control of the House and Senate.
New Leadership at the BBC
On the same day, Matt Brittin, former Google executive, was named the new BBC director-general, set to assume the role on May 18. His salary matches the previous director-general’s at £565,000. Brittin, a 57-year-old Cambridge alumnus and former McKinsey consultant, led Google’s EMEA region from 2007 until 2025. He also competed as a rower, earning a bronze medal at the 1989 World Rowing Championships and participating in the British Olympic team in 1988. Brittin received a CBE in the King’s New Year Honours for contributions to technology and digital skills.
He plans to appoint a deputy director-general upon taking office.
The Lawsuit Explained
The legal action stems from a 2024 Panorama episode criticized for implying Trump urged supporters to storm the Capitol in 2021 following his election loss to Joe Biden. BBC Chairman Samir Shah issued an apology, acknowledging an ‘error of judgment’ that created ‘the impression of a direct call for violent action.’
Former BBC director-general Tim Davie, who held the position since 2020, resigned in November 2025 alongside BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.
The BBC recently filed a motion to dismiss the Florida lawsuit, arguing it could produce a ‘chilling effect’ on reporting about public figures and questioning the court’s jurisdiction since the program never aired in Florida or the US.
Trump’s Direct Remarks
Highlighting past settlements from other news outlets, Trump told supporters: ‘It’s actually pretty good. You know, if you bring lawsuits against these guys, they’re so corrupt that they pay it.’
He continued: ‘This one hasn’t been determined yet. How about (the) BBC. When they put me out and they have me saying… things that I never said that were terrible. It turned out they put out news and they changed my words, having me say a horrible thing.’
Trump added: ‘And we checked it out. It turned out it was done by fake news. It was fake news. They put words in my mouth, sentences and paragraphs in my mouth that were so horrible. So we brought a suit against them, and they admitted they were guilty. Can you believe that’s how crooked they are? Now it’s only a question of how much do I get. No, they have to be taught a lesson, because they’re crooked. They’re crooked people.’
