BBC seeks Trump family testimony in $10B defamation case
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The BBC has requested a U.S. court's assistance to obtain documents and testimony from Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. for President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster.
- The lawsuit centers on a 2024 BBC documentary that allegedly misrepresented Trump's January 6, 2021, speech by editing it to imply he incited violence, which the BBC has apologized for but denied defamation.
- The BBC claims Trump's family members have relevant knowledge and records, but subpoenas have been difficult to serve due to their Secret Service protection, prompting the BBC to seek court permission to serve subpoenas via email and certified mail.
- Trump's legal team accuses the BBC of attempting to harass the Trump family and distract from its own liability, with a trial provisionally set for February.
- A federal judge recently granted Trump a temporary pause on disclosing financial details related to the lawsuit while considering an amended complaint narrowing his claims.
