BBC subpoenas Trump family in lawsuit
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
BBC seeks to subpoena Trump's children and son-in-law in his $10bn defamation lawsuit.
The family's testimony could reveal Trump's intent in the Jan. 6 speech.
Background
President Trump is suing the BBC for $10 billion over a Panorama episode that edited together two sections of a speech he gave before the 2021 Capitol riots. The BBC apologized for the edit but denied defamation. In its defense, the BBC wants testimony from Trump's family members, arguing they have firsthand knowledge of his intent and the drafting of the speech.
How it unfolded
- Jan 6, 2021Trump delivers a speech before the Capitol riots; BBC later airs a Panorama episode editing parts of the speech.
- May 2026BBC's legal team attempts to serve subpoenas to Trump's family members, but is blocked by Secret Service and law enforcement.
- Aug 14, 2026BBC files a motion in federal court in Miami asking permission to serve subpoenas on Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner for testimony and records.
Who’s saying what
- BBC
- The family members have personal knowledge and records relevant to Trump's intent and the speech's editing.
- Trump's legal team
- No immediate response to the BBC's motion; Trump's lawsuit claims the BBC defamed him by splicing the speech.
Still unverified
The BBC's claim that Secret Service protection blocked service of subpoenas is based on court filings; the Secret Service has not publicly commented.