UMVA has learned that Donald Trump's lawyers are seeking to block the BBC from obtaining the US president's financial records as part of his $10 billion defamation case against the broadcaster.
The case centers around a Panorama documentary from 2024 about the US Capitol riots, which Trump alleges was edited to make it appear as if he had encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
Trump's lawyers claim the documentary caused him reputational and financial injury, and the BBC is requesting financial records from the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust to ascertain the extent of the damage.
The trust, represented by Trump's lawyers, has argued that the BBC's demand for financial records is "premature, improper, and especially burdensome," and that it would be a "sweeping financial discovery" from hundreds of non-parties.
The BBC's lawyers have rejected claims of a "fishing expedition," stating that they have requested information only because Trump alleges that his financial interests have been impacted by their actions.
The dispute is now heading to court, with both sides seeking a ruling on the matter. Trump's legal team has also requested a delay pending the outcome of a request for a new judge in the matter, which is opposed by the BBC.
The BBC is seeking to have the case thrown out, warning of the "chilling effect" it would have on "robust reporting on public figures and events," and has challenged the jurisdiction of a Florida court to hear the case.
The allegations against the BBC led to the resignation of the then BBC director-general and an apology from the BBC chairman over an "error of judgment."
