Trump’s Family May Face Depositions in BBC Lawsuit

Members of former President Donald Trump’s family might be required to testify and provide documents in his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC. A legal expert and a law professor told Newsweek that Trump’s relatives could be involved even if he narrows the scrutiny of his business records.

Deanna Shullman, a media and First Amendment lawyer from Florida, explained that if Trump’s relatives have relevant information about the alleged damages or the truth behind the BBC’s portrayal, they might be considered appropriate for discovery. She stated, “They could be deposed and asked to provide documents related to their communications with the president.” This could include documents proving or disproving the statement in question, along with communications with Trump himself.

The possibility arises as Judge Roy Altman temporarily halted an order mandating Trump to disclose financial details from businesses managed by his family trust. Altman is reviewing Trump’s request to modify his complaint, limiting his case from business and reputational damage to only reputational harm, pending under seal.

Trump’s suit against the BBC involves a documentary, edited in 2024, which allegedly misrepresented his January 6, 2021, speech, leading to a defamation claim and an additional claim under Florida’s law against unfair trade practices, each seeking $5 billion.

Howard Wasserman, a civil litigation and media law professor at Florida International University, mentioned that Trump’s family members could be nonparty witnesses if they possess pertinent information, noting, “There should not be anything sacred about them if they have relevant case information.”

Trump’s attorneys have argued that the BBC’s demands extend beyond what is necessary to assess his damages claim. Attorney Alejandro Brito described the subpoena as overly broad, stating it seeks the trust’s entire financial universe without a targeted approach to determine the documentary’s impact.

The Financial Records Dispute

The legal conflict over Trump’s financial records is rooted in alleged damages from the original complaint. Trump claimed economic harm, personal brand damage, and future financial impact due to the documentary, affecting property and business values, as well as his reputation.

The BBC subpoenaed the Trump trust for records on its holdings and Trump-linked entities’ performance. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett concluded that by claiming economic injury, Trump brought his business interests and financial condition into question, leading to an order for a limited set of records beginning August 6.

Trump has moved to adjust his complaint, seeking to remove claims that the documentary harmed his businesses to render financial records irrelevant. His legal team requested an emergency delay ahead of the production deadline.

In a July 21 hearing, Brito argued the case scope had shifted and Trump no longer sought damages for business or brand harm. “The damages are more limited,” Brito told the court, focusing only on reputational harm.

Judge Altman temporarily halted the order, agreeing Trump presented a strong argument that the amendment might negate the need for confidential nonparty information.

Prospects for Trump’s Case

The outcome of Trump’s strategy depends on whether the judge accepts the amendment. Shullman and Wasserman stressed the difficulty of predicting the verdict without viewing the amendment’s content.

Shullman suggested Trump might prevent financial discovery by dropping economic damages claims and focusing solely on alleged mental or emotional distress.

“If the amendment dismisses all economic damages and targets mental health or emotional distress, Trump might avoid financial discovery,” she explained, though acknowledging potential challenges if Trump’s complaint links personal reputation to financial assets.

Wasserman echoed that everything rests on whether the amendment is permitted and the basis for Trump’s damage claims. The court’s decision remains uncertain.

Even excluding financial records, Trump’s family members might still provide crucial information about the documentary’s impact or other case matters. Shullman noted, “Family members may hold relevant information about Trump’s damages or case issues, including truth.”

The Lawsuit’s Core Issue

Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC stems from a December 2025 complaint regarding its Panorama documentary series aired before the 2024 presidential election. The program altered Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, falsely suggesting encouragement of a Capitol attack, allegedly harming his reputation and businesses.

Trump seeks $5 billion for defamation and another $5 billion for unfair trade practices. The BBC apologized for creating the wrong impression but denies defaming Trump, aiming for case dismissal.