President Trump asks court to block BBC subpoenas of family members in $10 million defamation case

President Donald Trump is seeking to block the British Broadcasting Corporation from subpoenaing his family members in an ongoing defamation lawsuit, according to court filings described in a report by The Hill. The dispute centers on the BBC’s efforts to obtain testimony from three members of Trump’s family as the broadcaster prepares its defense in the case.

The Hill reported that Trump’s legal team told the court that the subpoenas sought against Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and their spouse and business partner Jared Kushner were “cynical.” The filings, described by The Hill as submitted on Saturday, frame the requests as an improper attempt to broaden the proceedings beyond the issues at stake in the defamation claims.

The underlying lawsuit, as described by The Hill, is Trump’s $10 million defamation case. The report characterizes the BBC’s subpoena efforts as part of a defense strategy, asserting that the broadcaster is attempting to secure material it believes is relevant to its explanation of the statements at issue in the litigation.

Both sides’ arguments appear to turn on the scope of discovery, including who can be compelled to provide testimony during a defamation case. Trump’s motion, as characterized by The Hill, challenges that scope by arguing that the subpoena effort targets family members in a way that is not justified by the legal standards governing discovery and relevance.

Because the court record itself was not included in the reporting provided for this story, specific procedural details such as the exact court, the precise demands in each subpoena, and the legal standards the judge applied are not confirmed here beyond what The Hill reported. However, the dispute reflects a common flashpoint in defamation litigation: whether parties may use subpoenas to reach testimony from family members when those witnesses are not the original speakers or central actors described in the challenged statements.

The practical effect of any ruling on the subpoenas would be immediate for the parties’ preparation timelines. If Trump succeeds, the BBC would lose a potential pathway to obtain testimony from the family members it targeted. If the court allows the subpoenas to proceed, the family members would face compelled participation, with attendant scheduling, legal representation, and compliance requirements.

The case continues as the court considers the motion to block discovery. Further developments, including any judge’s order addressing the subpoenas and the parties’ remaining discovery disputes, would determine what testimony, if any, can be compelled from Trump’s family members before the defamation claims move toward the merits phase.