Here’s what will happen next.
President Donald Trump’s legal battle with the BBC is expanding, with the British broadcaster now seeking testimony and documents from Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner as it defends itself against Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit.
The dispute stems from the BBC’s editing of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech for a documentary. Trump alleges that the editing created a misleading impression about what he told supporters before the unrest at the U.S. Capitol.
Now, members of the president’s family could become involved in the case as potential witnesses.
BBC Seeks Testimony From Trump Family Members
BBC attorneys are pursuing subpoenas for Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner, arguing that each may possess information relevant to the lawsuit.
According to court filings reported by Politico, the broadcaster maintains that the three have personal knowledge concerning Trump’s actions and intentions surrounding his January 6 speech.
The development is particularly notable because it brings the president’s daughter, son and son-in-law into a legal dispute that originally centered on the editorial decisions of a major international news organization.
None of the three is accused of wrongdoing in connection with the lawsuit. Instead, the BBC is seeking information it believes could assist in its defense.
Trump’s $10 Billion Lawsuit Against BBC
Trump sued the BBC over a 2024 episode of the broadcaster’s Panorama documentary program that aired in the United Kingdom.
The lawsuit focuses on the documentary’s presentation of Trump’s January 6 remarks.
According to Trump, the BBC combined portions of his speech that were delivered at different points, resulting in an edited sequence that he claims falsely suggested he was encouraging violence at the Capitol.
The BBC subsequently apologized for the way the speech was edited.
However, the broadcaster disputes Trump’s contention that the editing provides sufficient legal grounds for his defamation claim.
That disagreement is now at the center of a multibillion-dollar court fight involving questions about journalism, editing practices, reputation and media accountability.
Why BBC Lawyers Want Ivanka Trump to Testify
BBC attorneys are citing information previously gathered by the House committee that investigated the events of January 6.
According to the broadcaster’s court filings, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were present while their father worked on revisions to his speech and were also present when he delivered the address.
BBC lawyers argue that their proximity to the president could make their testimony relevant when examining Trump’s intentions surrounding his remarks.
Jared Kushner could also possess information sought by the broadcaster.
According to the filings, Kushner allegedly prepared a proposed statement for Trump condemning the violence at the Capitol.
The BBC appears to believe testimony and documents from the three could provide additional context as it prepares its defense.
Whether a judge agrees that all of the requested information is relevant and obtainable will be decided through the legal process.
Effort to Serve Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Runs Into Trouble
Obtaining the testimony has already presented challenges for the BBC.
Court filings indicate that an attempt to serve subpoenas on Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their Miami residence in May was unsuccessful after police prevented the effort from proceeding.
The Secret Service was subsequently contacted about the matter.
According to the filings, Secret Service attorney Troy Epstein informed BBC lawyers that the agency was not authorized to accept subpoenas on behalf of Ivanka Trump or Kushner.
The agency also reportedly declined to provide instructions regarding how the broadcaster could successfully deliver the legal documents.
Donald Trump Jr. Subpoena Attempt Also Unsuccessful
BBC attorneys encountered a similar problem while attempting to reach Donald Trump Jr.
An effort to serve him at the Trump Organization’s offices inside Trump Tower in New York City was unsuccessful, according to the court filings.
Trump’s attorneys have also declined to accept the subpoenas on behalf of the three family members, the BBC said.
Those setbacks have now prompted the broadcaster to ask a federal judge for another option.
BBC Turns to Federal Court in Miami
In a motion filed Friday in federal court in Miami, BBC attorneys asked for permission to use an alternative method to deliver the subpoenas.
The broadcaster wants the judge to permit service through the mail or determine that providing the documents through Trump’s attorneys would legally satisfy the requirement.
The judge’s decision could determine whether Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner are ultimately required to provide testimony or documents connected to the lawsuit.
The request does not mean that Trump’s family members have been accused of misconduct. Their potential involvement centers on the BBC’s attempt to gather evidence for its defense.
Media Editing Becomes Central Issue in Trump Case
Beyond the enormous dollar amount involved, the lawsuit raises a broader question about how news organizations edit speeches and other politically sensitive material.
Trump argues that the BBC crossed an important line by combining separate portions of his remarks in a way that altered how viewers could interpret his message.
The BBC’s decision to apologize for the editing has added another layer to the controversy.
An apology, however, does not automatically establish defamation or determine the outcome of a lawsuit. Trump still must satisfy the applicable legal requirements for his claims, while the BBC has the opportunity to present its defenses.
That means the case could ultimately involve a detailed examination of the documentary, Trump’s original remarks, the circumstances surrounding January 6 and the BBC’s editorial process.
Trump Family Drawn Deeper Into Major Media Battle
For many Americans, the latest development will likely renew questions about media accuracy and accountability, particularly when news organizations cover presidents, elections and other politically charged events.
Conservative audiences have long expressed concerns about whether major media outlets treat Republican politicians fairly. Trump’s lawsuit could put some of those concerns under a legal microscope as attorneys examine exactly how his speech was edited and presented to viewers.
At the same time, the BBC will have an opportunity to defend its reporting and explain why it believes Trump’s $10 billion claim does not meet the legal standard for defamation.
For now, the focus shifts to the federal court in Miami.
If the judge approves the BBC’s request for an alternative method of serving the subpoenas, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner could become important witnesses in one of Trump’s most closely watched battles with a major media organization.
The next court ruling could determine just how deeply the president’s family becomes involved.