Donald Trump's legal team has rejected a request by the BBC to hand over financial information as part of his $10bn defamation case against the broadcaster. The US president's lawyers accused the BBC of a 'fishing expedition' after the broadcaster asked for details to support Trump's claims of reputational and financial damage from a Panorama documentary on the US Capitol riots.
In court filings, Trump's lawyers described the request for financial papers on the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust as 'disproportionate' and noted it would involve 'tens of thousands of documents' within 30 days, calling the timeframe 'unreasonable'. The BBC had asked for records showing income, assets and properties held by the trust, which holds Trump's business interests.
Trump accused the BBC of 'intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring' a speech he gave on 6 January 2021. The BBC had spliced together two parts of the speech for its documentary broadcast in October 2024. The broadcaster later retracted and apologised, saying it would not be shown again. Trump's lawyers argue the documentary caused 'direct harm' to his 'brand, properties and business'.
In March, the BBC asked a US court to throw out the lawsuit, arguing it would have a 'chilling effect' on reporting and noting it was not broadcast in the US or Florida. The dismissal claim is ongoing. The Financial Times reported that Trump's team had attempted to delay the case and requested a change of judge.
