Donald Trump, BBC news: Broadcaster asks US court for help in getting testimony from Trump family in defamation lawsuit

The BBC has petitioned a U.S. court to assist in acquiring documents and testimony from Donald Trump's family members, specifically Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump, Jr., in their $10-billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. Lawyers for the BBC argued that these family members possess personal knowledge and likely relevant records to elements of Trump's claims against the broadcaster, according to a filing in federal court in Florida.

The broadcaster was unable to serve subpoenas due to the three individuals having Secret Service protection. Trump initiated the lawsuit in December, seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation and deceptive and unfair trade practices. The allegations refer to the BBC's editing of a 2024 documentary featuring Trump's speech on January 6, 2021, before the Capitol attack in Washington.

The lawsuit claims that the BBC intentionally misrepresented the meaning of Trump's speech by splicing together separate parts to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Despite the BBC's apology for the misleading edit, it insists it did not defame Trump. The court filing states that Trump's family members had knowledge of issues relevant to Trump's claim that implying he incited violence on January 6, 2021, would be materially false.

The BBC requested that Trump accept the subpoenas on their behalf or authorize the Secret Service to allow their service, but he declined. The BBC asked the court to allow the subpoenas to be served by email and certified mail.