BBC tries to force Donald Trump's family to testify over £7billion defamation lawsuit

By CAROLINE GRAHAM, US EDITOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 01:34, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 01:35, 16 August 2026 The BBC has attempted to subpoena members of Donald Trump’s family to defend itself from the £7.4 billion defamation lawsuit issued by the US President. The broadcaster is seeking subpoenas to force Mr Trump’s eldest son Donald Jr, his daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to testify in the case, which revolves around whether the President’s actions fuelled the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol. Lawyers for the BBC said the Trump family members ‘without question have personal knowledge’ about his behaviour leading up to the attack. Mr Trump is suing the BBC over a 2024 Panorama documentary which claimed he gave a speech in Washington DC that allegedly incited rioters to storm the building. The President claims that the show ‘spliced together’ different parts of his speech to make it appear he was endorsing violence. He accused the BBC of ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring’ the speech. The BBC has apologised for the editing saying ‘it gave the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action’ but denied its actions were grounds for a lawsuit. It has asked a judge to dismiss the case. Donald Jr and Ivanka were present as their father gave the speech and Ivanka’s husband, Mr Kushner, drafted a proposed statement for Mr Trump to broadcast during the riot to condemn the violence. The BBC has attempted to force Donald Trump's family to testify over his £7.4billion defamation lawsuit Court filings show the BBC tried to serve subpoenas to the Kushners at their Miami home in May but were blocked by the Secret Service. An attempt to serve Donald Jr at Trump Tower in New York was also unsuccessful. In a motion filed in Miami Federal Court on Friday, the BBC asked the judge to authorise service by mail or email. Lawyers for the Trump family declined to comment. The case is set to go to trial in February next year.