BBC Seeks Subpoenas for Trump’s Family in Defamation Case

The BBC has taken legal action in a Florida court, requesting subpoenas for members of former President Trump’s family. This move is part of the broadcaster’s defense against a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Trump. The case stems from a BBC Panorama documentary that Trump claims was misleading.

The British broadcaster filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, seeking the court’s permission to summon Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner. The BBC’s legal team argues that these individuals have essential knowledge and records related to the claims made against the network.

On January 6, 2021, a rally led by President Trump turned violent as protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The court gave Trump’s legal representatives until Friday to respond to the BBC’s filing. While CBS News attempted to reach Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, no immediate comment was received. In contrast, a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team accused the BBC of harassment and misuse of the deposition process.

Trump’s December lawsuit alleges that the BBC’s documentary engaged in defamation and unfair trade practices. He claims the broadcaster edited his speech misleadingly to imply he incited violence. Trump’s legal team insists that the BBC spliced two separate parts of his speech to support their narrative, omitting his call for peace.

The BBC admitted to the editing error but denied the availability of a defamation case. Court documents reveal that the BBC had previously tried to serve subpoenas to Trump’s children and Kushner but faced obstacles. For instance, the network’s representatives were blocked by law enforcement and informed by the Secret Service that they could not accept subpoenas on behalf of Ivanka Trump and Kushner at their Florida residence.

Attempts to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower were similarly unsuccessful. The BBC’s court filings emphasize the significance of testimony from Trump’s family members as witnesses to his actions on January 6. Congressional records reportedly indicated that Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka were present when revisions to the president’s speech were being made on that day. Additionally, Kushner allegedly drafted a statement condemning the violence, and Trump Jr. is said to have communicated with his father after the Capitol breach.

The BBC declined to comment further when approached by CBS News. The broadcaster remains an international partner of CBS News.