Donald Trump’s legal team is trying to stop the BBC from accessing the US president’s financial records in a $10 billion (£7.5bn) defamation case he brought against the broadcaster over a Panorama documentary on the Capitol riots.
The American leader is seeking substantial damages in a Florida court, alleging that the editing of the 2024 Panorama episode gave the false impression he had encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6, 2021, after losing the election to Joe Biden. Trump claims the programme, broadcast shortly before the presidential election he went on to win, caused him reputational and financial injury.
“Trump’s legal team blocks BBC from obtaining his financial records in $10bn defamation case over Panorama documentary.”
In response, the BBC requested financial information from the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which holds the president’s business interests and assets and is managed by his eldest son. The broadcaster wants to ascertain the extent of the financial damage it allegedly caused.
In legal documents, the BBC’s lawyers rejected accusations of a “fishing expedition.” They argued: “Defendants have requested information from these entities only because plaintiff alleges without limitation that his financial interests have been impacted by defendants’ actions and because plaintiff is the sole beneficiary of a trust that owns or is associated with nearly 400 entities.”
But the trust, represented by Trump’s lawyers, hit back, saying the demand “is premature, improper, and especially burdensome.” They added: “Although plaintiff has alleged that his businesses have suffered damages as a result of the documentary, that alone does not give defendants carte-blanche to obtain sweeping financial discovery from hundreds of non-parties.”
Both sides are seeking a court ruling on the dispute. However, as first reported by the Financial Times, Trump’s legal team requested a delay pending the outcome of a separate application to have a new judge assigned to the case – a move opposed by the BBC. They claim that magistrate judge Enjolique Lett’s “prior representation of a client that was directly adverse to president Trump creates an appearance of impropriety.”
The BBC’s lawyers countered that “the impetus for plaintiff’s request appears to be the flat refusal by the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust – a third party that is represented by the same counsel as plaintiff – to provide any financial information under subpoena, despite plaintiff’s claims that the defendants injured ‘the value of his brand, properties, and businesses.’”
The defamation lawsuit, launched after the election, triggered the resignation of then BBC director-general Tim Davie. BBC chairman Samir Shah later apologised on behalf of the broadcaster.
The trust’s refusal to hand over records leaves the BBC in a precarious position: without evidence of financial harm, it cannot fully defend itself against Trump’s multibillion-dollar claim.