MIAMI — President Donald Trump faces a major legal setback in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation. A federal judge ruled that the news network can subpoena Trump’s closest allies and examine his family’s business records.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett issued the decision in a Florida court. The ruling gives BBC lawyers permission to request documents from the trust that manages over 400 businesses owned by the Trump family.
Trump originally filed the lawsuit after the BBC aired a 2024 documentary episode titled “Trump, a Second Chance” on its Panorama program. He claims the episode edited his January 6, 2021 speech to make him look bad. The edit highlighted his call to “fight like hell” while leaving out his call for peaceful protests.
The BBC issued an apology for the editing choice but declined to pay financial compensation. Trump then sued for economic and reputational damages.
Because Trump claims the broadcast hurt his personal brand and corporate earnings, Judge Lett ruled those finances are fair game.
“All of President Trump’s brand, properties and businesses are impugned or said to have been impugned. Reputational, economic damages, all of that is now at issue in this case,” Lett said.
The order allows the BBC to issue subpoenas to Trump’s family members and top political advisers, including Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon. Lawyers want to evaluate the actual financial impact on Trump’s network of companies.
Trump’s legal team tried to block the requests, calling them improper and burdensome. However, the judge rejected those arguments.
The BBC continues to push for a total dismissal of the case in federal court, arguing that Florida courts lack jurisdiction because the program never aired on American television. A full trial remains scheduled for February 2027 if the case moves forward.
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