BBC Seeks Subpoenas for Trump Children in Defamation Suit

The BBC is seeking court authorization to serve subpoenas on President Donald Trump's two eldest children and his son-in-law as part of its defense against a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the president. In a motion filed on Friday, August 14, 2026, in federal court in Miami, the broadcaster asked a judge for permission to compel testimony and records from Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner regarding the events of January 6, 2021.

The BBC argues that the three family members possess personal knowledge relevant to determining President Trump's intent when he addressed supporters at the Ellipse before the attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to the filing, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present as the president revised and delivered his speech, while Jared Kushner was involved in drafting a statement that would have condemned the violence. The broadcaster contends this information is critical to understanding how Trump's remarks could reasonably have been interpreted by his audience.

The effort to serve the subpoenas has faced repeated obstacles. Court documents detail that attempts to serve Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their Florida home were...