The BBC is moving to compel testimony from three members of the Trump family—Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner—as it prepares to defend itself against a $10 billion defamation lawsuit initiated by former President Donald Trump. In a court filing submitted on Friday, legal representatives for the network asserted that these family members hold critical information that is essential to the BBC's defense strategy.

The lawsuit, which carries a significant financial claim, centers on allegations of defamation against the broadcaster. By seeking these subpoenas, the BBC is signaling its intent to examine the internal communications and personal knowledge of the former president's inner circle regarding the matters at the heart of the litigation. The filing suggests that the network believes the testimony of the former president’s children and son-in-law could provide necessary context or evidence to refute the claims made in the lawsuit.

As of now, the court has not yet ruled on the BBC's request to issue these subpoenas. The legal battle remains in its preliminary stages, with both sides positioning themselves for a protracted discovery process. The BBC’s move to involve family members directly suggests that the defense intends to aggressively challenge the merits of the defamation allegations by probing the former president's personal and professional network.