BBC Seeks U.S. Court Assistance in Trump’s Defamation Case

The BBC has requested assistance from a U.S. court to obtain documents and testimony from Donald Trump’s family members in relation to his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. According to a court document, the BBC’s lawyers believe Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump, Jr. possess relevant records and personal knowledge pertinent to Trump’s claims.

The broadcaster has faced difficulties in serving subpoenas due to the Secret Service and other security measures in place around these individuals. Trump filed the lawsuit in December, alleging defamation and deceptive trade practices. The case pertains to the editing of a documentary that altered the context of Trump’s speech preceding the Capitol incident on January 6, 2021. Trump alleges the BBC intentionally misrepresented his words, aiming to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Despite the BBC’s apology for the editing, they deny defamation. The court document suggests Trump’s family members have insights crucial to Trump’s standpoint that it was false to imply he incited violence on January 6. Specifically, Donald Trump, Jr. and Ivanka Trump were reportedly present when Trump revised his speech and were in contact with him during the unrest at the Capitol.

The BBC has requested that subpoenas be accepted via email and certified mail, after Trump refused to accept them on behalf of his family. Trump’s legal team criticized the BBC’s actions, accusing them of deflection and harassment.

The court has set a deadline for Trump’s legal team to respond to the BBC’s request. A trial is provisionally scheduled for February. Recently, a federal judge in Florida temporarily relieved Trump from needing to disclose details of his financial status as part of the lawsuit, pending consideration of an amended complaint refining claims of business and reputational damage.

Report contributed by Associated Press journalists Kate Brumback and Alanna Durkin Richer.