The BBC is seeking to compel testimony from members of Donald Trump's family as part of its defense against an approximately $8 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the former U.S. President. The broadcaster has requested subpoenas for Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner.
The lawsuit stems from a 2024 BBC Panorama documentary that alleged Trump's speech in Washington D.C. incited the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. Trump claims the documentary edited his speech to falsely suggest he called for violence, accusing the BBC of intentionally doctoring the footage. The BBC has apologized for the editing, stating it created a mistaken impression of a direct call for violent action, but denies the claims warrant a lawsuit and has asked a judge to dismiss the case.
Lawyers for the BBC argue that the named family members possess firsthand knowledge of Trump's behavior leading up to the Capitol attack. Court filings indicate that attempts to serve subpoenas on the Kushners at their Miami home in May and on Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York were unsuccessful, reportedly blocked by the Secret Service. In a motion filed Friday in Miami Federal Court, the BBC requested authorization to serve the subpoenas via mail or email.
Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were reportedly present when their father delivered the speech in question. Jared Kushner, during the riot, drafted a proposed statement for Trump to broadcast condemning the violence.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in February.