Trump lawyers reject BBC request for financial documents in defamation case
7 reported2 unconfirmed
Donald Trump’s legal team has refused a request by the BBC to hand over financial information as part of his $10bn defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. The BBC had asked for financial papers on the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which holds the president’s business interests and assets, as well as records showing income, assets, and properties. Trump’s lawyers accused the BBC of a “fishing expedition” and said the request was “disproportionate” and encompassed entities with no connection to the dispute. The BBC had previously turned over 45,000 pages of documents in response to 503 requests from Trump’s team, while Trump had produced none. The case stems from a Panorama documentary about the US Capitol riots that spliced together two parts of a Trump speech; the BBC later retracted the clip and apologized. The BBC has asked a US court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing it would have a “chilling effect” on reporting and that the court lacks jurisdiction since the documentary was not broadcast in the US or Florida.
What’s reported
Trump’s legal team rejected a BBC request for financial information in his $10bn defamation case.
The BBC asked for records on the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, including income, assets, and properties.
Trump’s lawyers called the request a “fishing expedition” and “disproportionate.”
The BBC had turned over 45,000 pages in response to 503 document requests from Trump; Trump had produced none.
The BBC retracted and apologized for a Panorama clip that spliced two parts of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech.
The BBC asked a US court to dismiss the lawsuit, citing a “chilling effect” and lack of jurisdiction.
Four people died on January 6, 2021, and five police officers died afterwards, including from suicide.
Open questions
Whether the court will grant the BBC’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Whether Trump’s request for a change of judge will be granted.
Key figures
Donald Trump, US president
Brito PLLC, Trump’s Florida-based lawyers
BBC, broadcaster
Sources: The Guardian
