The BBC is seeking to subpoena members of former President Donald Trump's family to testify in a $7.4 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the former President. The broadcaster aims to compel testimony from Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner.
The lawsuit centers on a 2024 BBC Panorama documentary that alleged Trump's speech in Washington D.C. incited the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump claims the documentary "spliced together" parts of his speech to falsely suggest he called for violence, accusing the BBC of "intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring" the remarks.
The BBC has acknowledged that the editing "gave the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action" but denies the program's content warrants a lawsuit and is asking a judge to dismiss the case. Lawyers for the BBC argued in court filings that the named family members "without question have personal knowledge" of Trump's behavior leading up to the events of January 6th. Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were present when their father delivered the speech, and Jared Kushner reportedly drafted a statement for Trump to condemn the violence during the riot.
Efforts by the BBC to serve subpoenas to the Kushners at their Miami home in May were reportedly blocked by the Secret Service. A similar attempt to serve Donald Jr. at Trump Tower in New York was also unsuccessful. In a motion filed Friday in Miami Federal Court, the BBC requested authorization to serve the subpoenas by mail or email.
Lawyers for the Trump family declined to comment on the matter. The case is currently scheduled to go to trial in February.