Donald Trump Criticizes BBC's Panorama Over Altered Video
A leaked memo by Michael Prescott reveals how the BBC apparently manipulated a speech by President Donald Trump to suggest he incited the Capitol Hill riots in a Panorama episode. This has sparked a strong reaction from the White House.
Details from Michael Prescott's Memo
Michael Prescott served as an independent external adviser to the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC) for three years before stepping down in June. In an internal memo sent to the BBC Board last month, Prescott harshly criticized the broadcaster after his warnings to the standards watchdog were repeatedly ignored.
The corporation "doctored" a speech by Donald Trump to make it appear that he encouraged the Capitol Hill riots during the Panorama episode.
The altered video aired in October 2024 showed the President telling his supporters he would walk to the Capitol with them to "fight like hell." However, the original speech actually said he would walk with them "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
This "mangled" excerpt "completely misled" viewers.
White House Response
Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, strongly dismissed the clip as "100 per cent fake news." Meanwhile, international scrutiny is mounting on BBC executives Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, who are being pressured to clarify the situation.
Summary
The controversy centers on accusations that the BBC deliberately edited a President Trump's speech to misrepresent his words, prompting official rebuttals and demands for accountability from the broadcaster's leadership.