BBC targets Trump family with subpoenas in $10B lawsuit over January 6 documentary

WASHINGTON, DC: The BBC is seeking documents and testimony from members of President Donald Trump's family as it defends against his $10 billion defamation lawsuit over a Panorama documentary about his January 6, 2021, speech.

Court filings show the broadcaster's lawyers attempted in May to serve subpoenas on Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The BBC argues the three have relevant knowledge of Trump's intentions when he prepared and delivered the speech.

BBC seeks Trump family testimony over January 6 speech

In its latest filing, BBC lawyers said Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Kushner "have personal knowledge" of the president's intentions in delivering the speech. The filing cites evidence previously gathered by a congressional committee, stating that Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present when their father revised and delivered the speech.

It also says Kushner drafted a proposed statement for Trump that would have condemned violence. The BBC has asked the court to permit the subpoenas to be served by email and certified mail after attempts to serve them in person were unsuccessful.

In a recent filing, BBC lawyers argued that Trump's family members "have personal knowledge" of his intentions when he prepared and delivered the speech and that their testimony and documents are therefore relevant to the case.

The filing cites evidence previously gathered by a congressional committee, saying Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present when their father revised and delivered the speech. It also says Kushner drafted a proposed statement for Trump that would have condemned the use of violence.

The network asked the court to allow the subpoenas to be served by email and certified mail after attempts to deliver them in person were unsuccessful.

According to the filing, one of the network's legal representatives attempted to serve subpoenas for Ivanka Trump and Kushner at their Florida home but was refused entry at a police checkpoint. The representative was later told by the Secret Service that the agency could not accept the subpoenas.

Another attempt to serve a subpoena on Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York was unsuccessful after a concierge said the person who normally accepts such documents might be at lunch. A second attempt two days later was also unsuccessful, with the representative told the "legal department" was not there that day.

Trump's $10B lawsuit centers on BBC editing of January 6 speech

Trump sued the BBC and its subsidiaries in Florida last December over a 2024 Panorama episode that edited together separate portions of his speech before the Capitol riot. His lawsuit accuses the network of "intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring" the speech.

The BBC has apologized for the editing, acknowledging that it created "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action." The broadcaster has nevertheless denied that the edit provides grounds for a defamation claim and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.

A trial is scheduled for February 2027 if the case proceeds. Separately, a judge recently paused a requirement for Trump to provide financial records sought by the BBC after his lawyers argued that disclosure would cause him "irreparable harm.”