London — The BBC filed a request with a Florida court to issue subpoenas for members of President Trump’s family. This move is part of the broadcaster’s strategy in its $10 billion defamation case against Mr. Trump. The request, detailed in a court document released on Friday, is directed at the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida.
The BBC aims to serve Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner with subpoenas. The network wants them to provide testimony and documents related to the January 6, 2021, events. These events involved President Trump’s supporters attacking the U.S. Capitol.
The Third Parties have personal knowledge and likely have possession, custody, or control of records relevant to multiple elements of Plaintiff’s claims against the BBC,
the BBC’s legal team stated.
A court order requires Mr. Trump’s attorneys to reply to the filing by Friday. CBS News reached out to Alejandro Brito, Mr. Trump’s attorney for the defamation case, but received no immediate response.
A spokesperson for Mr. Trump’s legal team accused the BBC of using the deposition process to harass the Trump family. The spokesperson stated that the BBC plans to distract from its own responsibilities.
Mr. Trump filed the lawsuit in December, accusing the BBC of defamation and unfair trade practices. The lawsuit focuses on a 2024 BBC Panorama documentary that edited parts of a speech Mr. Trump delivered in Washington. His legal team argues that the edit misleadingly suggested Mr. Trump incited violence and rioting.
The BBC had previously sought to issue subpoenas for Trump’s children and Kushner. Attempts were made in May to serve Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their Florida residence, but local law enforcement blocked these attempts. The Secret Service informed the BBC that it could not accept subpoenas on behalf of the couple.
Similar issues occurred when the BBC tried to serve Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York. The network’s representative was unsuccessful due to the absence of the appropriate legal personnel.
The court filings highlight that Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were in the Oval Office while Mr. Trump revised his January 6 speech. Additionally, Kushner drafted a statement condemning the violence, and Donald Trump Jr. communicated directly with his father after the Capitol attack.
The BBC’s press office declined to comment on the ongoing case when contacted by CBS News. Additionally, the network’s international connection with CBS News was noted.
In related legal proceedings, the Justice Department moved to dismiss a class action lawsuit by January 6 rioters.