Britain’s government is preparing to address an escalating feud between the BBC and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to sue the broadcaster for $1 billion over allegedly misleading editing in a 2024 documentary.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a formal statement in Parliament on Tuesday amid growing calls for accountability within the BBC. The issue has ignited fierce debate across political lines — with critics urging reform and supporters warning against political interference in the century-old public institution.

The controversy stems from the BBC documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?”, which aired just before the 2024 U.S. election. The program edited together separate excerpts from Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech — given before rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol — in a way that appeared to show him urging supporters to “fight like hell.” Crucially, the edit omitted Trump’s call for a peaceful protest.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah admitted the edited segment “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.” The broadcaster has since apologized, calling the editing a serious “error of judgment.”

The fallout has already reshaped the BBC’s leadership: Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness both resigned over the incident. Davie, in a message to staff, said, “We have made some mistakes that have cost us. But I’m fiercely proud of the organization. We’ve got to fight for our journalism.”

Trump’s Florida-based lawyer Alejandro Brito has demanded a full retraction, apology, and damages by Friday, accusing the BBC of publishing “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements.”

Meanwhile, the Labour government has defended the BBC’s role in maintaining public trust while emphasizing the need for editorial transparency. Minister Alison McGovern told LBC Radio, “If they’ve made an editorial mistake, then they should apologize. If you look at the levels of trust people have in the BBC, it’s extraordinarily high.”

The dispute places the BBC — funded through a £174.50 ($230) annual household license fee — under renewed scrutiny at a time of shifting media consumption and political polarization. The outcome could have significant implications for media accountability and the delicate balance between press freedom and public responsibility in both the UK and abroad.