A US magistrate judge has ordered President Donald Trump to disclose detailed financial records from his businesses in a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC, after the broadcaster argued his wealth has grown since the documentary in question aired.
Judge Enjoliqué Lett granted a BBC motion to compel the release of records held by the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust during the case's first hearing. The dispute stems from the 2024 documentary "Trump, A Second Chance," which featured a speech Trump delivered before the US Capitol attack on 6 January 2021. Lett also permitted the BBC to subpoena members of Trump's inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr, Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller. The judge issued a split decision on a separate BBC request for documents related to the Capitol riot and noted a significant disparity in document production between the parties.
Trump's lawyer signalled plans to amend the complaint to focus on reputational rather than business harm. The BBC has also sought dismissal of the entire case, arguing the documentary was never broadcast in the United States. The ruling remains subject to appeal.