BBC seeks to subpoena Trump family members in defamation suit

The BBC is pursuing legal action to subpoena three members of the Trump family - Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner - in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the U.K. broadcaster. According to the BBC's lawyers, these family members possess "personal knowledge" regarding President Trump's intentions during his Jan.

6, 2021 speech at the Ellipse as the Capitol attack unfolded. The lawsuit alleges that a BBC documentary aired in 2024 defamed the president by manipulating the speech to make him appear to endorse violence. The BBC has apologized for the editing but maintains that the attempt to defame him is insufficient grounds for a lawsuit.

The network's attorneys assert that Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present when the president revised his speech and were on-site at the Ellipse when he spoke. They also claim that Kushner drafted an initial statement for the president condemning the violence. The subpoenas request deposition testimony and pertinent documents from the Trump family members.

However, attempts to serve the subpoenas on Kushner and Ivanka Trump at their Miami home were blocked by police. Furthermore, a Secret Service lawyer informed the BBC that the agency could not accept the subpoenas, stating it is not authorized to serve these individuals. A similar attempt to serve Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York was unsuccessful as well.

The BBC's attorneys are now requesting that the court authorizes service by mail or through President Trump's lawyers, deeming the latter option adequate. The Trump family members and President Trump's legal team have yet to respond to requests for comment.