BBC Sues Donald Trump Family Members Over Defamation Lawsuit Regarding Panorama Episode

The BBC is taking legal action against Donald Trump's family members as it defends itself against a $10bn defamation lawsuit over an episode of Panorama that edited together two different sections of a speech he gave before the 2021 Capitol riots.

Key Development

The BBC has sought to subpoena members of Donald Trump's family for documents and testimony in its defense against the US president's defamation claim.

Court filings show that representatives for the BBC's legal team attempted to serve subpoenas to Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner in May.

The president is suing the BBC over an episode of Panorama that edited together two different sections of a speech he gave before the 2021 Capitol riots.

The BBC has previously apologised for the edit but denied it was grounds for defamation.

According to court filings, Trump's family members had 'personal knowledge' of his intentions in delivering the speech, making their testimony and documents relevant to the president's defamation claim.

Drawing on evidence previously gathered by a US congressional committee, the filing says Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump were present when their father revised and delivered his speech, adding that Jared Kushner drafted a proposed statement for him that would have condemned the use of violence.

The BBC's lawyers argue that attempts to serve subpoenas to the family members by hand were unsuccessful, with representatives being refused entry at police checkpoints or told that the 'legal department' was not available.

President Trump's legal team has been approached for comment, but the BBC press office declined to comment on the matter.