U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ordered former President Donald Trump to produce financial records from The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust in his $10 billion defamation suit against the BBC over a 2024 Panorama edit of his Jan. 6 remarks. Judge Lett found the Trust’s records relevant because Trump’s damages claim centers on harm to his brand, properties and businesses. The order limits discovery to records dated Jan. 1, 2023–present and requires the first substantial production within 10 days, with weekly productions until complete. Trial is set for February 2027.
Magistrate Orders Trump To Produce Years Of Financial Records In BBC Defamation Case
BBC building and Donald Trump
A U.S. magistrate judge has dealt a significant legal setback to former President Donald Trump in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC, ordering him to produce years of financial records tied to his businesses.
Background
The dispute stems from a 2024 BBC Panorama segment that used an edited excerpt of Mr. Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 remarks. The edit combined portions of his speech to create the impression he said in immediate succession: “We're gonna walk down to the Capitol and I'll be there with you and we fight. We fight like hell…you're not gonna have a country anymore.” In fact, the lines were spoken at different points in the address.
The BBC later issued a correction and an apology but declined to pay damages. In December 2024, Mr. Trump filed a defamation suit seeking $10 billion in compensation.
Judge's Order And Rationale
Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett concluded that because Mr. Trump is claiming substantial business-related damages, the BBC is entitled to seek documentary evidence about those businesses. In a nine-page written order, Judge Lett detailed the categories of documents the BBC may obtain and set firm production deadlines.
Judge Lett cited Mr. Trump’s own allegations that the BBC broadcast caused “extensive economic harms,” including “injury to [his] business and personal reputation,” “massive economic damage to his brand value,” and harm to the value of his properties and businesses.
Scope Of Discovery
The BBC subpoenaed financial records from The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust (the “Trust”). Trump objected, arguing the Trust is not a party to the suit, that the request was disproportional and burdensome, and that his business-damage claims did not justify access to Trust records. Judge Lett rejected those objections. She noted the parties agree that nearly all of the properties and businesses tied to Trump’s claimed damages are owned by the Trust, making the records directly relevant.
Relying on the broad discovery principles of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the judge found the BBC’s requests proportionate to Trump’s broad damages claim and especially important given the $10 billion figure at issue.
What The Order Requires
Judge Lett ordered the Trust to produce the requested financial documents but narrowed the time frame to records dated Jan. 1, 2023, to the present. She required the “first substantial production of documents” within ten (10) days of the order, with weekly productions thereafter until complete. A trial is currently scheduled for February 2027.
The order marks a notable step in discovery in a high-profile international defamation case and underscores how business-related damages claims can open the door to broad financial discovery.
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