BBC seeks subpoena of Trump family in Panorama defamation suit

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:46:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The BBC is trying to compel evidence from Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner as it battles a $10bn defamation claim over a controversial Panorama episode.

In a high‑stakes legal battle, the BBC has asked the court to serve subpoenas to members of the Trump family for documents and testimony in its defence of a $10bn defamation lawsuit. Trump, who sued the broadcaster after an edited Panorama segment that mis‑represented his speech in 2021, claims the edit maligned him and damaged his business interests. The BBC apologised for the editing error but argues it did not meet the legal standard for defamation and was not available on US platforms. Attempts to serve the subpoenas have been thwarted, with police and the Secret Service blocking access to the Trump family’s residences. The case is set for trial in February 2027.

The BBC has sought to subpoena members of Donald Trump’s family for documents and testimony as it defends against the former president’s $10bn (£7.4bn) defamation lawsuit.

Court filings show that BBC lawyers attempted in May to serve subpoenas to Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr., daughter Ivanka Trump and son‑in‑law Jared Kushner.

The lawsuit stems from a 2024 Panorama episode that edited together two different parts of a 2021 speech the president gave before the Capitol riots, giving the impression that he urged violent action. The BBC apologized for the error but argues it was not defamation.

In its latest filing, the BBC argued that the Trump family have “personal knowledge” of the president’s intent when he delivered the speech, making their evidence relevant to the claim. The lawyers cited evidence from a US congressional committee showing Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka were present when their father revised the remarks and that Jared Kushner drafted a statement condemning violence.

The BBC has requested that subpoenas be served by email and certified mail, citing failed attempts to deliver them in person. One representative was denied entry to the Trump family’s Florida home after a police checkpoint and was told by the Secret Service that they could not accept the documents. Another attempt at Trump Tower in New York was thwarted by a concierge who could not locate the person who usually receives such items.

Trump’s legal team has not publicly commented, while the BBC’s press office declined to issue a statement.

Last December, Trump sued the BBC and its subsidiaries BBC Studios Production and BBC Studios Distribution, accusing the broadcaster of “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring” his speech. The BBC seeks to dismiss the case, arguing the program does not meet the legal definition of defamation and was not available on US platforms like BritBox, BBC.com or BBC Select.

Trump recently agreed to drop BBC Studios from the lawsuit after the broadcaster argued it had no role in creating the documentary. The jury is scheduled to hear the case in February 2027, should it proceed.

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