BBC asks court to subpoena Trump family in $10bn Panorama defamation case
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The BBC has asked a Florida court to allow subpoenas for Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner as it defends against President Donald Trump's $10bn defamation lawsuit over a Panorama episode. Court filings show BBC legal representatives tried in May to serve the subpoenas by hand but were turned away at a Florida police checkpoint, Trump Tower and by the Secret Service. The BBC argues the family members have personal knowledge of Trump's speech before the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot, even as the broadcaster has already apologised for an editing error in the programme.
Subpoena Attempts
The BBC legal team tried in May to serve subpoenas on Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York, and on Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their Florida home. At the Florida residence, a representative was refused entry at a police checkpoint and later told by the Secret Service it could not accept the subpoenas. At Trump Tower, the concierge said the person who normally accepts such documents may have been at lunch; two days later, the representative was told the legal department was not in. The BBC asks the court to permit service by email and certified mail.
Legal Argument
BBC lawyers argue Trump family members had personal knowledge of his intentions in delivering the speech, making their testimony and documents relevant to the defamation claim. Drawing on evidence from a US congressional committee, the filing says Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present when their father revised and delivered the speech, and that Jared Kushner drafted a proposed statement condemning violence. The broadcaster has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the programme did not meet defamation criteria and was not made available on US platforms. Last month, Trump's lawyers admitted they had no evidence the documentary was available on BritBox, BBC.com, BBC Select or through US broadcasters, after originally claiming it was.
Case Background
President Trump sued the BBC and subsidiaries BBC Studios Productions and BBC Studios Distribution in December over a 2024 Panorama episode. The lawsuit, filed in Florida, accuses the BBC of "intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring" his speech outside the Capitol on 6 January 2021. The BBC has apologised for an editing error that gave the mistaken impression Trump made a direct call for violent action, but denies it was grounds for defamation. Trump's family members are now sought for documents and testimony as the BBC defends the $10bn claim. The BBC press office declined to comment; Trump's legal team has been approached for comment.
What's Next
A Florida court must now decide whether to allow the BBC to serve the subpoenas by email and certified mail. It remains unclear whether Trump's family members will challenge the requests or provide documents and testimony in the $10bn defamation case.
2 sources
BBC asks court to subpoena Trump family in $10bn Panorama defamation case
