Jimmy Mulville, the Hat Trick Productions founder behind Have I Got News For You, has said the BBC has become nervous about jokes involving Donald Trump because of the US president's ongoing $10 billion lawsuit against the corporation. He said the broadcaster fears Trump could accuse it of malice if upset by the topical comedy show's material, and urged the BBC to adopt a more relaxed, common-sense approach rather than treating the litigation as a reason for caution. The comments highlight concerns that the legal threat could be having a wider chilling effect on BBC content about Trump.

Speaking on the Insiders: The TV Podcast, Mulville said the BBC "can't pay Trump public money" to settle the case, which stems from the corporation's misleading edit of Trump's January 6 speech in a Panorama documentary. He argued new prime minister Andy Burnham would win public backing by standing up to Trump, and said he believed "Trump's on a losing wicket." Mulville, who has produced the show for over 25 years and also makes a US version for CNN, separately joked about the Ellison family's ties to Trump amid Paramount's bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which would bring CNN under David Ellison's control. The BBC has been approached for comment.