Trump’s BBC Defamation Case Gets New Judge Nominated by Trump

A federal judge recently nominated and confirmed by the Republican-led Senate has taken over as the presiding judge in Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. Jeffrey Kuntz, confirmed in July 2026, replaces Judge Roy Altman and becomes one of 17 cases transferred to him following his appointment to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The case involves a Panorama episode that edited Trump’s January 6, 2021 Capitol speech.

Who is the new judge and how did he get the case?

Jeffrey Kuntz was nominated by Trump in April and confirmed by a 51-46 Senate vote last month. He previously served as an appeals court judge in Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal. Trump praised Kuntz on Truth Social, calling him “TOUGH and SMART.” Kuntz took over 17 cases after his appointment to federal court in July, including Trump’s BBC lawsuit.

What is Trump suing the BBC for?

Trump is seeking $10 billion over a Panorama episode that edited together two different sections of his speech delivered outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The BBC previously apologized for the edit but has denied it meets the legal standard for defamation. The broadcaster has asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing the programme was not available in Florida and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction over the corporation.

What happens next in the case?

Trial is scheduled for February 2027, and Trump has requested a jury trial. Meanwhile, the BBC has sought to subpoena Trump’s family members, including Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner, for testimony and documents. Trump’s legal team called the subpoena requests an attempt to “harass” the president and his family.

Kuntz’s prior rulings favor Trump

In February 2025, Kuntz was one of three judges who ruled in Trump’s favour to allow him to continue a lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board. That case, over the board’s 2016 award to the New York Times and Washington Post for Russian interference reporting, remains ongoing. Kuntz’s track record suggests he may be sympathetic to Trump’s legal positions.

Final Thoughts

The judge change injects new uncertainty into a case already marked by procedural disputes. With Kuntz’s prior rulings favoring Trump and a jury trial scheduled for February 2027, the BBC faces an uphill battle to get the case dismissed before trial.

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