BBC battles Trump by subpoenaing family members in Panorama defamation case
BBC’s legal team is attempting to compel testimony from Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner as it defends itself against the former U.S. president’s $10bn ($7.4bn) lawsuit over a Panorama episode.
The episode edited together segments of Trump’s January 2021 speech outside the U.S. Capitol, giving the “mistaken impression” that he called for violence. BBC apologised for the edit but argues the programme does not meet the legal definition of defamation and was not broadcast in the United States.
In May, the BBC’s lawyers tried to serve subpoenas by hand at Trump’s home in Florida and at Trump Tower in New York. Security checkpoints and the Secret Service denied delivery and the concierge at Trump Tower said the rightful recipient was not present. The court was then asked to allow the subpoenas to be sent by email and certified mail.
The subpoenas seek documents and sworn testimony that the Trump family “had personal knowledge” of the president’s intentions during the speech. Non‑compliance would carry a penalty. Legal filings argue that the documents are relevant to the defamation claim and that the family members are key witnesses.
Trump’s suit, filed in Florida last December, accuses the BBC of “intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring” the speech. The BBC has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit on jurisdiction grounds and because the programme was not made available on U.S. platforms. The case is set for trial in February 2027 unless it is settled earlier.
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