Trump lawyers refuse to reveal financial information to BBC in defamation case

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”, according to court filings, after the broadcaster’s representatives asked for details to get evidence on Trump’s claims he suffered reputational and financial damage by a Panorama documentary centred on the US Capitol riots. Trump accused the BBC of “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring” a speech he gave on 6 January 2021, before the unrest in Washington in which thousands marched and break into the US Congress. The BBC had spliced together two parts of a speech made by Trump, as part of the documentary broadcast in October 2024. Four people died on the day, with five police officers dying afterwards, including from suicide. According to the court documents lodged in Miami, Florida, in May , the BBC had asked for financial papers on the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which holds the president’s business interests and assets. Lawyers had asked for records that would show its income, assets, and properties held. It also listed hundreds of companies that fall under the trust’s remit. In response Trump’s Florida-based lawyers Brito PLLC said the request was “disproportionate” and “encompasses individuals and entities that have no connection to the issues in dispute”. …