The BBC has petitioned a U.S. federal court to compel testimony and documents from members of Donald Trump's family [1].
This legal move marks a significant escalation in the broadcaster's defense against a massive defamation claim. By seeking internal records and personal accounts from the former president's inner circle, the BBC aims to challenge the factual basis of the lawsuit.
The petition, filed in a Florida court on Friday, Aug. 23, 2026 [2], targets Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. [1]. The broadcaster is seeking these materials for use in a defamation lawsuit brought by Donald Trump, who is seeking $10 billion in damages [1].
BBC counsel said in the filing, "We believe the Trump family members have personal knowledge of the matters at issue and likely possess documents relevant to Mr. Trump’s claims" [1]. The broadcaster said that these individuals hold critical information that could influence the outcome of the case.
Because the family members are under Secret Service protection, the BBC has requested specific legal accommodations. A BBC spokesperson said in the filing that the court needs to allow them to be subpoenaed through "alternative" means [5].
The request for "alternative" subpoena methods highlights the logistical challenges of serving legal papers to high-profile individuals with permanent security details. The BBC said that the necessity of the evidence outweighs these procedural hurdles.
The Florida court must now decide whether to grant the petition and force the production of the requested documents and testimony. If granted, the Trump family members may be required to provide sworn statements, or internal communications, related to the claims [4].
“The BBC has petitioned a U.S. federal court to compel testimony and documents from members of Donald Trump's family.”
The BBC's attempt to subpoena the Trump family suggests a strategy to uncover contradictions between the former president's public claims and private records. By targeting the immediate family, the broadcaster is attempting to penetrate the inner circle of the plaintiff to establish a defense against the $10 billion claim, while simultaneously navigating the unique legal protections afforded to former presidents and their families.
