Story perspectives

Judge Threatens Sanctions; BBC Moves to Dismiss Trump Suit

6/9/2026

46 4

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Roy Altman threatened sanctions after U.S. President Donald Trump’s attorneys missed June 5.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) moved to dismiss the $10 billion case.
The broadcaster argued Florida court lacks jurisdiction because documentary never aired in United States.
Trump’s complaint says the BBC defamed him by splicing January 6, 2021 speech to urge ‘fight like hell,’ a claim scholars deem meritless and that involves the BBC’s subpoena of Trump’s revocable trust.

History

Historical Context

The 1964 unanimous Supreme Court ruling in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, authored by Justice William Brennan, required public officials to prove actual malice, overturning a $500,000 verdict against the Times. That high bar, later extended to public figures, still shapes defamation battles today, including recent challenges raised by former President Donald Trump and calls for revisiting the standard by Justice Clarence Thomas.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Roy Altman threatened sanctions after U.S. President Donald Trump’s attorneys missed June 5.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) moved to dismiss the $10 billion case.
The broadcaster argued Florida court lacks jurisdiction because documentary never aired in United States.
Trump’s complaint says the BBC defamed him by splicing January 6, 2021 speech to urge ‘fight like hell,’ a claim scholars deem meritless and that involves the BBC’s subpoena of Trump’s revocable trust.

1 / 2