Donald Trump has broken his silence on the resignation of BBC director-general Tim Davie after the broadcaster was found to have misled viewers by editing the US President’s January 6 speech.
In the BBC Panorama documentary, two parts of Mr Trump’s speech were edited together, giving the illusion Mr Trump had made statements he never actually uttered.
A leaked memo this week revealed the doctored clips within Trump: A Second Chance? made it appear as though he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell”.
It was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year’s US election, which critics have said was misleading and removed a section where the US President said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.
Donald Trump wrote in a statement on Truth Social: “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 6.
“Thank you to The Telegraph for exposing these Corrupt ‘Journalists’.
“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!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has endorsed GB News
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X
Responding to Mr Trump, the White House’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X: “BBC News is dying because they are anti-Trump Fake News.
“Everyone should watch GB News!”
She continued: “This purposefully dishonestly, 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.”
In addition to Mr Davie, the broadcaster’s News CEO, Deborah Turness, also announced her resignation.
Donald Trump branded Tim Davie ‘dishonest’ and the BBC ‘corrupt’
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GETTY
The two blistering comments from the White House follow a statement from Tim Davie on his resignation.
He 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.
“I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.
“In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us.
“It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.
“Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.
“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.
“Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
A timeline of scandals at the BBC overseen by Tim Davie
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GB NEWS
Mr Davie’s resignation comes just hours before the BBC is due to apologise over its handling of the Panorama programme.
It is understood the BBC will provide further details on the Panorama episode in its letter to the Culture Media and Sport Committee on Monday.
The BBC has also been criticised for a number of failings in recent months, including breaching its own accuracy editorial guidelines, livestreaming the controversial Bob Vylan Glastonbury set, as well as misconduct allegations surrounding former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Ofcom, said the BBC board would “now need to reflect on how it ensures that the BBC continues to deliver for UK audiences”.
In a statement, she said: “I’d like to thank Tim Davie for his contribution as director-general of the BBC. Over the past five years, Tim has led at a time of great change and challenge.
“The BBC is a strong and valued part of our media landscape and the BBC board will now need to reflect on how it ensures that the BBC continues to deliver for UK audiences.”