A simple truth Censored by the BBC: Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt President in American history

[pat_k]

Such a simple truth: Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt President in American history.

It is an assertion that is incredibly easy to back up given the magnitude of corruption and crimes being committed in plain sight.

Nevertheless, the BBC censored the description "the most openly corrupted President in American history" from the lecture historian Rutger Bregman gave as part of the Reith Lectures series.

Bregman's response: https://youtube.com/shorts/eOECvaTcV6E

Let BBC Radio 4 know what you think about this. If you are an American, perhaps express how much we need independent sources to be out there telling the truth. Too many here in the states are self-censoring. We expect more from our allies, particularly given Trump's intolerable betrayal of the Western Alliance that has held for the past eight decades.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1WbP92b6YbpP9j4mwwbtc9Q/contact-us

Gemini summary (take with whatever grains of salt you apply to all AI summaries):

The edit was made on legal advice, a decision that Bregman described as "self-censorship driven by fear" of a potential lawsuit from Donald Trump.

Details of the Incident

The Comment: During the recording of his first lecture in the 2025 series, titled "Moral Revolution," historian Rutger Bregman made several critical comments about Donald Trump, including the line "the most openly corrupt President in American history".

The Edit: The line was removed from the version of the lecture that was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published as a podcast. Other critical descriptions, such as calling Trump a "convicted reality star" and a "modern-day Caligula," were left in the broadcast.

The Reason: A BBC spokesperson confirmed the edit was made "on legal advice" to comply with editorial guidelines.

The Context: The decision came at a sensitive time, as the BBC was already facing a potential multi-billion dollar lawsuit from Trump over the editing of a separate 2024 Panorama documentary, a situation that had led to the resignations of senior BBC figures.

Bregman's Response: Bregman publicly accused the BBC of cowardice and self-censorship, stating the irony was significant given that his lecture was about institutions bending the knee to authoritarianism. He shared the unedited excerpt on social media platforms like Instagram and X.

Internal Directives: It was later reported that BBC presenters and journalists were instructed not to repeat the specific removed line in their coverage of the controversy, again citing legal reasons.

Related articles:

Historian criticises BBC for removing Trump line from Radio 4 lecture
25 November 2025
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvdzdnnp8xo

BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith lecture
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/27/bbc-donald-trump-corruption-line-removed-from-rutger-bregman-reith-lecture

[chouchou]

1. The word Garbageman takes on a new meaning since Donald Trump came alive....

The people that come to pick up my trash every Friday should be insulted. They're honest and courteous working people.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. From an old "Pogo" comic. Commander Churchill LaFemme: "A man made of garbage ?" nt

[chouchou]

9. I've always been fond of Pogo. That one is classic. Thanks!

[eppur_se_muova]

12. "See who's in the closet this time." It's easy to read right past that one w/out realizing it's the front door. nt

[Cha]

2. TY Kick, pat_k.. "When good people do nothing ..

Evil Succeeds.. "

[pat_k]

8. Enough people are doing something to keep my hope alive...

... but the number of organizations and people who are immorally choosing to self-censor, settle, or otherwise give in to a psychopathic bully who doesn't have a legal leg to stand on is very, very discouraging.

Somehow, we must focus on progress -- and when an individual or organization fails us, make the level of our disappointment/rage/fear for the future of the nation, crystal clear.

Such pressure can work. And we have had successes.

I just wish more of those who are choosing surrender would recognize that surrendering to this regime does nothing but encourage ever greater corruption, illegality, baseless claims, and escalating crimes against sacred values.

They are committing crimes against the third estate, which is essential to inform We the People. They are committing crimes against the processes and institutions by which our will is measured. They are corrupting and committing crimes against the institutions that make our will manifest.

Trump and his cronies are doing everything in their power to cut the will of the American people out of the equation. They will not succeed. The people are saying NO. They are stepping up in so many ways. And we are seeing the regime weakened as patriotic forces push back. I have no doubt that we will ultimately send these criminals packing and build back better.

However, the task would certainly be supercharged if more of the organizations who are surrendering without a fight would chose instead to step up -- if not on their own behalf (because they will pay a SERIOUS price) but on the behalf of the people (i.e., every person within our borders) that they are directly, or indirectly dependent upon for their profits. It is up to us to help them see the error of their ways!

[Martin Eden]

3. There should be roadblocks to prevent lawsuits intended to punish and coerce

Thrown out of court before the defendant incurs crippling legal fees.

Better yet, make the litigant pay for those fees.

[pat_k]

4. I have never understood why Trump's targets don't counter sue more often.

When organizations and individuals fight back they tend to win against him. He only understands force. When you are morally in the right, seems to me fighting back is imperative, win or lose.

[Martin Eden]

5. I'm sure they calculate the risk when deciding whether to proceed with litigation.

Even a successful countersuit could take years, with unaffordable costs before reimbursement which is no sure thing.

[pat_k]

10. It is then up to us to figure out ways to make the cost of cowardice far higher...

... in terms of reputational damage, and where possible, finding ways to take a bite out of bottom line earnings.

There were those at Disney who recognized the gross error of suspending Kimmel, but those voices were overridden for a time. Then the public's rage against the action (through divestment in stock and customers "just saying no" ) was made a bit clearer. And suddenly, the voices of morality gained sway.

There are forces within these organizations that know what is required of them as a moral imperative. We just need to figure out ways to open the ears of those who believe acquiescence is the "better bet" by finding ways to make the cost of caving high enough.

[Martin Eden]

11. And mainstream media needs to call this for what it is

Authoritarian extortion

[pat_k]

13. Absol-f-ing-lutely!!

[UTUSN]

7. K&R

[pat_k]

14. Thanks for the kick!

Much appreciated! I hope that some of the people who have viewed the post have sent a message to BBC Radio 4. I think it does make a difference.

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