DistantNews
Support us
Judge orders Trump to hand over records to BBC in defamation case
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Judge orders Trump to hand over records to BBC in defamation case

From BBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A judge ruled that Donald Trump must hand over records sought by the BBC in a defamation case.
  • The BBC's lawyers called Trump's production of documents a "sham," providing only 735 pages compared to their 87,000.
  • Arguments from Trump's legal team focused on a letter from the BBC Chairman apologizing for a documentary clip.

A judge has ordered Donald Trump to produce records requested by the BBC as part of a defamation lawsuit. The BBC's legal team described Trump's submission of documents as a "sham production," contrasting their own 87,000 pages with his mere 735 pages, which they characterized as internet material. Charles Tobin, counsel for the BBC, stated this made the discovery process "entirely one-sided."

sham production

— BBC lawyersDescribing Donald Trump's production of documents in the defamation case.

Trump's lawyers, led by Alejandro Brito, argued the BBC's requests were "oppressive" and "sweeping." They also opposed subpoenas issued to federal agencies and former officials, accusing the BBC of a "fishing expedition" intended to "harass" former officials. Much of their defense hinged on a November letter from BBC Chairman Samir Shah to the US president.

entirely one-sided

— Charles TobinCommenting on the discovery process in the defamation case.

In that letter, Shah apologized for a BBC documentary clip, acknowledging it "unintentionally gave the mistaken impression that President Trump made a direct call for violent action." Brito presented this letter as a "concession" and "admission" by the BBC. The BBC has separately sought to dismiss the case entirely, arguing the documentary did not air in the US, a ruling the court has yet to make.

oppressive

— Alejandro BritoDescribing the BBC's requests for documents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog