Donald Trump seeks to block BBC subpoenas of family members

Donald Trump is requesting that a federal judge reject an attempt by the BBC to subpoena three of his family members—Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner—as part of a defamation lawsuit. Trump’s legal team filed a memorandum arguing that the broadcaster is attempting to turn a narrow defamation case into a broad investigation regarding the events of January 6, 2021.

The lawsuit stems from a BBC documentary that edited portions of Trump’s January 6 speech. The BBC spliced segments delivered nearly 55 minutes apart and omitted his instruction that supporters march “peacefully and patriotically.” While the BBC apologized for the editing, calling it an unintentional error that created a “mistaken impression,” the broadcaster maintains the error does not meet the legal threshold for defamation.

Trump’s attorneys contend that the BBC has sought extensive discovery, including 126 document requests and subpoenas for 47 individuals, including family members and former officials. Although a court previously ruled on August 6 that the lawsuit does not permit the BBC to “relitigate and discover every aspect” of January 6, Trump’s lawyers argue the broadcaster’s latest motions bypass required judicial processes.