LONDON (AP) — The BBC has publicly apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump for a misleading edit of his speech from January 6, 2021. However, the broadcaster firmly stated it does not believe there is a basis for Trump's defamation claims. On Thursday, BBC Chairman Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House expressing regret over the editing of Trump's speech, which was featured in a documentary titled "Trump: A Second Chance?" The documentary aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The BBC acknowledged that the edit unintentionally created the impression that Trump was making a direct call for violent action during the Capitol riot. The broadcaster clarified that it had spliced together parts of the speech that were delivered nearly an hour apart, which led to a misleading portrayal. In response to the apology, Trump's legal team had previously threatened a $1 billion lawsuit, claiming the edit caused significant harm to the president's reputation. The BBC, however, stated it would not pay any compensation. "While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim," the broadcaster said in a statement. The controversy surrounding the edit has led to significant fallout within the BBC. Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness both resigned following the incident, which has raised questions about the integrity of the BBC's journalism. The Panorama documentary was criticized for splicing together quotes from Trump's speech in a way that suggested he encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol. Critics have accused the BBC of bias against Trump, reflecting broader concerns about the organization's perceived political leanings. Legal experts have noted that Trump's chances of successfully pursuing a defamation case against the BBC are slim. They argue that proving harm is difficult, especially since the documentary was not aired in the U.S. and was geo-blocked on the BBC's streaming service. Trump has a history of legal action against media outlets, often seeking damages for what he perceives as unfair coverage. He has previously secured settlements from U.S. media companies, including a $16 million agreement with CBS over an edited interview with Kamala Harris and a $15 million settlement with ABC News regarding a misstatement by anchor George Stephanopoulos. As the BBC navigates this latest crisis, it faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its editorial decisions and the need to maintain public trust. The organization is also preparing for a review of its governing charter, which is set to expire in 2027. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has emphasized the importance of ensuring the BBC is sustainably funded and commands public trust, but did not specify whether the current license fee structure would change. The BBC's apology and the surrounding controversy highlight the challenges faced by public broadcasters in balancing impartiality and accountability in their reporting.