BBC Moves to Question Trump’s Children and Kushner in Defamation Fight
The BBC is trying to bring Donald Trump’s children and son-in-law into its defense against the president’s defamation lawsuit over a January 6 documentary. The
The BBC is trying to bring Donald Trump’s children and son-in-law into its defense against the president’s defamation lawsuit over a January 6 documentary. The broadcaster asked a federal judge on Friday for permission to subpoena Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner for testimony and records tied to the 2021 Capitol attack.
Trump sued the BBC in December over its 2024 documentary Trump, A Second Chance?, arguing the network edited his January 6 speech in a way that made it sound as if he urged supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol. The BBC has apologized for the edit, but says the president has no basis for the suit.
What the BBC wants to test
The broadcaster says the three family members may have direct knowledge of Trump’s mindset as he prepared and delivered the speech. According to the filing, Don Jr. and Ivanka were with him as he revised the remarks, while Kushner was involved in drafting a statement that would have condemned the violence at the Capitol. Short version: they were there.
The BBC told the court it needs evidence about Trump’s “intention behind the speech” and about what the audience could reasonably have understood from it. Its lawyers also said they want to examine whether Trump made the remarks intentionally or otherwise, how broad the audience was and what harm, if any, followed. The case turns on whether the documentary materially distorted his message.
Secret Service protection blocked service
The BBC said earlier attempts to serve subpoenas failed because the three have Secret Service protection. In one effort, law enforcement blocked service at Ivanka Trump’s Florida home. Another attempt to reach Donald Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York also failed, according to the filing.
The broadcaster therefore asked the court to authorize alternative service methods.
Why the testimony matters
Trump’s lawsuit, described in filings as a $10 billion defamation case, centers on the BBC’s use of his January 6 speech. He argues the broadcaster spliced together separate parts of the address to make it appear he was calling for violence, while leaving out his line telling supporters to march “peacefully and patriotically” to make their voices heard.
Trump Jr., Ivanka and Kushner were all present with Trump that day, making them important witnesses for the BBC’s defense. The next move now sits with the judge in Miami federal court. The subpoena fight is still live.
