Trump escalates his massive lawsuit against the BBC
Trump accuses the BBC of trying to harass his family after the network sought to subpoena his children and Jared Kushner to testify in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit. The case concerns a Panorama documentary aired before the 2024 election, which Trump claims edited his January 6, 2021 speech to make it seem he encouraged the Capitol attack. The BBC apologized and removed the film but denies defamation. Trial set for February 2027 in Florida.
Donald Trump is escalating his massive $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the network of trying to harass his family. This follows the BBC's request to subpoena his children and Jared Kushner to testify in the defamation case. A spokesperson for Trump's legal team told The Telegraph that the BBC deliberately defamed the president and now seeks to harass him and his family through an abuse of the deposition process. The case concerns a Panorama documentary in which, according to the report, excerpts from Trump's January 6, 2021 speech were edited to create the impression that he encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol, when in fact he called for peaceful protest. Last year, the BBC apologized for a "lapse in judgment" and removed the film but denied defamation. Trump sued, then narrowed the claim to focus on reputational harm. The BBC seeks to dismiss the case, arguing the children have personal knowledge of events. Attempts to serve subpoenas physically failed due to the Secret Service. Earlier this week, the BBC admitted the speech was viewed 34 times in Florida. On Tuesday, a judge ruled Trump may amend his complaint. Trial set for February 2027.