NEWS
BREAKING NEWS:Ofcom Faces Pressure to Investigate GB News Over Donald Trump Interview After Tens of Thousands of Complaints Claiming Misleading Statements, Lack of Challenge, and Potential Breach of UK Broadcasting Code, Raising Questions About Media Impartiality, Accuracy, Regulation of Political Content, and Standards for High-Profile Foreign Political Figures on UK Television.see more
London — Britain’s broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, is facing mounting pressure to investigate a controversial interview aired on GB News featuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, amid concerns that the broadcast contained misleading statements and lacked sufficient challenge from the interviewer.
The case has attracted thousands of complaints from viewers, advocacy groups, and media watchdogs, raising questions about editorial standards, political impartiality, and the responsibilities of broadcasters when featuring high-profile political figures.
The interview, broadcast in November 2025, was promoted by GB News as a “world exclusive sit-down” with Trump. During the conversation, the former president made a series of highly disputed claims, including assertions about climate change, public safety in London, and the UK energy sector. Specifically, Trump dismissed human-induced climate change as “a hoax,” claimed that certain areas of London were under “sharia law” and had become no-go zones for police, and criticised wind energy policies as excessively costly.
What has drawn the most scrutiny is the absence of meaningful challenge from the host, Bev Turner, who allowed Trump’s statements to go largely uncorrected or uncontextualised. Critics argue that this failure to question or fact-check statements violated Ofcom’s broadcasting code, which requires that content likely to mislead viewers be presented responsibly and that significant political matters be covered with due impartiality.
Tens of thousands of formal complaints have already been submitted to Ofcom. Campaign groups, public figures, and concerned citizens are calling for a thorough investigation, warning that unchallenged claims broadcast to a large audience could misinform the public and distort political debate. Among those urging action is Chris Banatvala, a former Ofcom standards director, who said that the interview “warrants investigation under every relevant section of the broadcasting code” and described the programme as unprecedented for a UK domestic broadcaster.
Academic and environmental figures also highlighted the risks posed by Trump’s climate-related claims. Bob Ward, a climate researcher at the London School of Economics, said: “Broadcasting these statements without challenge is a serious breach of the public trust. Millions rely on credible information, and this interview presented demonstrably false claims as facts.”
GB News has so far declined to comment publicly on the complaints or whether it believes the interview met regulatory standards. Some commentators noted that the network has historically positioned itself as an alternative to mainstream media, appealing to viewers who feel traditional outlets are biased. Supporters argue that Ofcom’s rules are overly restrictive and can unfairly limit editorial freedom, especially when covering politically sensitive content or high-profile foreign figures.
Ofcom has acknowledged receiving the complaints and confirmed that it is reviewing the case, but has not yet decided whether to open a formal investigation. If the regulator finds a breach of broadcasting rules, potential sanctions could include fines, requirements to issue on-air corrections, or statements clarifying the content. Although such actions are rare, the high-profile nature of the interview and the volume of complaints make this case particularly significant.
Media analysts say the situation highlights the tensions inherent in modern political broadcasting, where powerful figures can use their appearances to communicate directly to audiences without traditional editorial scrutiny. In a digital age where clips are widely shared on social media, the impact of misleading claims is amplified, increasing the stakes for regulators tasked with protecting public trust.
Observers also note that the Trump interview underscores broader questions about the responsibilities of UK broadcasters when interviewing foreign political leaders. Unlike domestic politicians, international figures are not subject to the same regulatory frameworks in their home countries, yet their statements can influence domestic debates and public perception. How Ofcom addresses this issue may set an important precedent for future coverage.
The public reaction to the interview has been intense, with widespread discussion across social media, online forums, and traditional news outlets. Many viewers expressed frustration at what they saw as a failure to hold Trump accountable for inaccurate or misleading claims, while others defended the network for allowing unfiltered commentary from a prominent political figure.
For Ofcom, the case represents a delicate balancing act: enforcing standards and ensuring accurate, impartial coverage, while also respecting freedom of expression and avoiding overreach. The outcome of any investigation could have far-reaching implications for how political interviews are conducted in the UK, particularly for international figures and controversial topics.
Ultimately, the GB News–Trump interview controversy illustrates the challenges facing regulators, broadcasters, and audiences alike in an era of fast-moving information, social media amplification, and polarised political debate. As the story develops, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether Ofcom takes decisive action, and what that might mean for the future of political broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
Whether sanctions are imposed or not, the case has already sparked renewed discussion about media responsibility, fact-checking, and the ethics of broadcasting political content without rigorous scrutiny, highlighting the continuing tension between editorial freedom and public accountability in a rapidly changing media landscape.