Judge Delays Trump’s Financial Records Disclosure in $10 Billion BBC Defamation Suit
The ruling comes as the president seeks to narrow his lawsuit against the broadcaster, focusing on reputational harm over his initial business-related claims The post Judge Delays Trump’s Financial Records Disclosure in $10 Billion BBC Defamation Suit appeared first on TheWrap .
On Thursday, a judge temporarily postponed President Donald Trump's deadline to provide financial records in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, a matter that has intensified the media litigation stemming from the "Panorama" documentary concerning the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This pause comes as the court deliberates on Trump's request to modify the lawsuit.
The BBC contends that the records are pertinent because Trump once argued the documentary caused damage to his enterprises and brands, forming the foundation for his substantial damages demand. However, Trump's legal team is now aiming to narrow the case, withdrawing those business-related allegations in favor of pursuing damages solely for alleged reputational harm.
They argue that releasing the records prior to the court's decision on the proposed amendment would lead to "irreparable harm." The judge concurred with the request to temporarily halt the disclosure mandate while the amendment petition undergoes consideration. The BBC opposed the delay, labeling it "a transparent effort to evade this court's clear and direct order" and stating that Trump has been resisting discovery for months during the lawsuit.
Trump brought the defamation suit against the British broadcaster over "Panorama," asserting that the documentary had improperly edited a portion of a speech delivered prior to the January 6 attack, falsely suggesting he had explicitly incited violence. The BBC has admitted to an editing error and issued an apology for the "mistaken impression" that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action.
The broadcaster has sought the court's dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing the documentary fails to meet the legal criteria for defamation and was never broadcast on its U.S. platforms. The case has become more focused recently, with Trump's legal team acknowledging they lack evidence that the documentary was accessible in the United States through BritBox, BBC.com, BBC Select, or U.S. broadcasters, despite earlier claims in the complaint.
Additionally, Trump has agreed to remove BBC Studios, the broadcaster's commercial division, from the lawsuit after the company contended it had no involvement in producing the documentary. The court has yet to rule on Trump's request to amend the complaint.
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