BBC seeks to subpoena Trump family members in defamation lawsuit

The BBC is pursuing subpoenas for Donald Trump's family members as part of its defense in a defamation lawsuit filed by the former president. Lawyers for the BBC argue that Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner possess crucial personal knowledge regarding Donald Trump's intentions when delivering a speech outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

According to court filings, the BBC's legal team contends that the family members' testimony and any related documents are directly relevant to Trump's defamation claim. Evidence previously gathered by a U.S. congressional committee suggests that Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present during their father's speech revisions, and Jared Kushner drafted a proposed statement that would have condemned violence.

The BBC's filing requests the court to permit serving the subpoenas through email and certified mail, citing difficulties in attempting personal service. The document details instances where BBC representatives were denied entry or informed that the appropriate personnel were unavailable when trying to serve subpoenas at the Trumps' Florida residence and Trump Tower in New York.

Donald Trump sued the BBC and its subsidiaries in December 2024 over a Panorama episode, accusing the broadcaster of intentionally doctoring his January 6, 2021 speech. The BBC has apologized for an editing error that created a mistaken impression of Trump calling for violence but maintains the program does not meet the legal criteria for defamation and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.

Trump's lawyers recently admitted they lacked evidence that the documentary was available in the U.S. on specific BBC platforms. Trump also agreed to drop BBC Studios from the lawsuit, as the company had no role in the documentary's production. A trial date is scheduled for February 2027, should the case proceed.

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have personal knowledge