BBC Seeks Court Help To Question Trump Family In $10 Billion Defamation Suit

The BBC has asked a US federal court in Florida to allow it to subpoena Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner for testimony and documents as it defends itself against President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit over its editing of his January 6, 2021, speech.

In a filing, BBC lawyers said the three have “personal knowledge” and potentially relevant records concerning Trump’s intentions when preparing and delivering the speech. The broadcaster argues their evidence could help address Trump’s claim that its 2024 Panorama documentary falsely suggested he incited violence at the US Capitol.

The BBC pointed to the family’s involvement that day. Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were in the Oval Office while Trump was revising his remarks, including during his efforts to persuade then Vice President Mike Pence not to certify the 2020 election results. Both later went to the Ellipse and watched Trump deliver the speech, according to testimony they gave to the House January 6 committee. Trump Jr. also spoke with his father after violence had broken out at the Capitol.

Kushner is also considered relevant because he was involved in preparing a proposed statement condemning the Capitol violence. The BBC says such evidence could help determine whether it would be materially false to imply that Trump intended to incite violence.

The broadcaster, however, has struggled to serve the subpoenas. Attempts to serve Ivanka Trump and Kushner were complicated by their Secret Service protection and security personnel, while a separate effort involving Trump Jr. also failed. The BBC says the Secret Service was not authorised to accept the subpoenas on their behalf. It has therefore asked the court to permit service by email and certified mail or other alternative methods.

Trump’s legal team has objected, accusing the BBC of using the discovery process to harass Trump, his family and supporters and of attempting to distract from what it calls the broadcaster’s “obvious liability.”

Trump filed the lawsuit in December seeking $10 billion in damages, alleging that the BBC deceptively edited separate portions of his January 6 speech to make it appear that he encouraged the Capitol attack and that the editing was intended to influence the 2024 presidential election. The BBC has apologised for the misleading edit but continues to deny that it defamed Trump.

The subpoena dispute comes amid another legal battle over Trump's financial records. Judge Roy Altman recently paused an order requiring Trump to disclose financial information concerning his business empire while he considered an amended complaint that could narrow the damages he is seeking to reputational harm.

The judge has given Trump’s legal team until Friday to respond to the BBC’s request. There has been no ruling yet on whether the alternative service will be allowed. The case is tentatively scheduled for trial beginning February 15, 2027, in Miami, with the trial expected to last about two weeks.