Judge orders Trump to disclose business finances in BBC defamation case
9 reported
A federal judge has ruled that Donald Trump must provide detailed financial information from his businesses as part of his $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC, according to news reports. The ruling by US magistrate judge Enjoliqué Lett during a discovery hearing on Tuesday could open a window into the hundreds of businesses owned by Trump’s family trust. Trump filed the lawsuit late last year over a 2024 BBC documentary that featured a misleading edit of his speech before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The BBC has apologized for the edit but argues the defamation claims have no merit. Lett is also allowing the BBC to subpoena dozens of Trump’s inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr, Steve Bannon, and Stephen Miller, to find evidence of his thoughts and intentions on January 6. Trump’s legal team is likely to appeal the decision and plans to amend the complaint to limit the scope of financial disclosures. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.
What’s reported
US magistrate judge Enjoliqué Lett ruled that Trump must divulge detailed financial information from his businesses as part of his $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC.
The ruling came during a discovery hearing on Tuesday, according to news reports.
Trump filed the lawsuit late last year over a 2024 BBC documentary called “Trump, A Second Chance,” which featured a misleading edit of his speech before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The BBC apologized to Trump last year for the misleading edit but argues the defamation claims have no merit.
Lett is allowing the BBC to subpoena dozens of Trump’s inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr, Steve Bannon, and Stephen Miller, to find evidence of his thoughts and intentions on January 6.
Trump’s legal team is likely to appeal Tuesday’s decision.
Trump lawyer Alejandro Brito told Lett on Tuesday that he intends to amend the complaint to say the documentary only caused reputational damage, not business harm, to avoid financial disclosures.
The BBC aims to argue that Trump’s wealth skyrocketed since the documentary aired, contradicting his claim of business harm.
The White House did not immediately return the Guardian’s request for comment.
Key figures
Donald Trump, plaintiff in the defamation lawsuit
Enjoliqué Lett, US magistrate judge
Alejandro Brito, Trump lawyer
Donald Trump Jr, potential subpoena target
Steve Bannon, potential subpoena target
Stephen Miller, potential subpoena target
Sources: The Guardian
