The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) filed a motion on Monday asking a U.S. court to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit brought against it by President Donald Trump, warning that the case could have a "chilling effect" on in-depth reporting about public figures and public events.

The lawsuit was filed in a Florida court, but the British public broadcaster argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case and that Trump has failed to demonstrate that the BBC intentionally distorted his image.

Trump filed the lawsuit last December, alleging that a BBC documentary edited footage of a speech he gave on January 6, 2021. The suit seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and an additional $5 billion for unfair business practices.

Last month, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida tentatively scheduled a trial date for February 2027.

The BBC contends that the case should be dismissed on the grounds that the documentary was never broadcast in Florida or anywhere else in the United States.

"As a result, we are challenging the jurisdiction of the Florida court and have filed a motion to dismiss the president's claims," the company said in a statement.

In a 34-page filing, the BBC also argued that Trump has failed to "plausibly allege that the defendant deliberately created a false impression."

The document stated that Trump's lawsuit "falls far short of the high bar for 'actual malice'."

It further emphasized that the "chilling effect is plain"—noting that Trump is "one of the most powerful and closely watched individuals in the world, and the BBC reports on his activities daily."