Trump hits out at 'dishonest' BBC as Director-General resigns over 'doctored' speech
BBC boss quits in disgrace over a series of scandals at the corporation - including broadcasting a doctored clip of Donald Trump
Donald Trump has hit out at the BBC after the corporation was seen to 'mislead viewers' over the editing of his speech made shortly before the Capitol riot.
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Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resigned overnight following criticism that the US President's speech on January 6, 2020 - and broadcast as part of a BBC Panorama documentary, was 'dishonestly' edited.
Mr Trump took aim at the taxpayer-funded corporation after the damning 19-page dossier said the programme of “completely misled” viewers by showing the President telling his supporters he was going to the Capitol building with them to "fight like hell".
In reality, the President said he was going to walk with his supporters "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
Taking to Truth Social the President said: "The TOP people in the BBC, including TIM DAVIE, the BOSS, are all quitting/FIRED, because they were caught 'doctoring' my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th."
He went on to thank the Telegraph who first reported that the Panorama documentary edited two separate clips together in a way that altered the messaging.
President Trump continued: "These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election. On top of everything else, they are from a Foreign Country, one that many consider our Number One Ally. What a terrible thing for Democracy!"
Read More: Full timeline of recent BBC controversies after Tim Davie resigns as Director-General
Shot: Chaser: pic.twitter.com/n0U08PnUJb
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) November 9, 2025
Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trump's press secretary, also slammed the BBC in a recent tweet.
She shared screenshots of her interview with the Telegraph, where she dubbed the BBC a "leftist propaganda machine", alongside another screenshot of Mr Davie announcing his departure.
Mr Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday following the backlash.
In the report, the programme was accused of making the US president "say" things [he] never actually said" by splicing together footage from separate parts of his speech.
Ms Leavitt said that British taxpayers were being "forced to foot the bill for a leftist propaganda machine."
She said: "This purposefully dishonest, selectively edited clip by the BBC is further evidence that they are total, 100 per cent fake news that should no longer be worth the time on the television screens of the great people of the United Kingdom.
"Every time I travel to the United Kingdom with President Trump and am forced to watch the BBC in our hotel rooms it ruins my day listening to their blatant propaganda and lies about the president of the United States and all that he’s doing to make America better and the world a safer place."
In a message sent to staff on Sunday evening, Mr Davie said: “I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years.
“This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the chair and board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.
“I am working through exact timings with the board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.”
The Telegraph has also published more excerpts from the memo, which accuse the BBC’s Arabic service of bias over its coverage of the war in Gaza, and accuse the corporation of “effective censorship” in its coverage of the transgender debate.
After the week of damning revelations, Ms Turness, BBC News's CEO, confirmed in a letter to staff today that the corporation's chairman will be responding to urgent calls for answers next week.
She told staff members in a letter seen by LBC: "The BBC Chairman has received a letter from Caroline Dinenage, the Chair of the Commons Culture, Media & Sport Committee seeking reassurance from the BBC.
"The Chairman will be providing a full response on Monday, and this will be shared with you, but I felt it was important for me to come to you as CEO of BBC News before the end of the week."
BBC chairman Samir Shah has said it “is a sad day for the BBC” following Mr Davie’s resignation.
He said: “Tim has been an outstanding director-general for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.
“He has had the full support of me and the board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole board respects the decision and the reasons for it.
“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well under way.
“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.
“This is an important time for the corporation and the board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”