The BBC has demanded that Donald Trump hand over his personal text messages in a £10bn (£7.5bn) defamation lawsuit over his alleged involvement in the January 6 riots in Washington.
The broadcaster’s lawyers are seeking to prove in court that the US president should be held responsible for encouraging his supporters to storm the US Capitol following his 2020 election defeat.
In their legal document, the BBC said: “In [his] lawsuit, President Trump claims that the BBC defamed him by editing his speech at the White House Ellipse on January 6, 2021 in a manner that he claims conveyed the allegedly false implication that he fomented the violence that followed at the Capitol.
“Thus, as the BBC explained and the government does not dispute, President Trump cannot prevail in his case if he cannot establish the falsity of that alleged implication.”
Taking a page from Trump himself, the BBC is going to bury Trump so deep in discovery he drops the lawsuit. If this case does make it to trial, there are so many interesting details that can come out publicly, including all of Trump’s businesses’ financials.
BBC is still waiting on a ruling for their Jurisdiction challenge. If the Altman grants it, it is over. Also the trump team still has the 14 day Rule 72(a) objection to Lett’s order. I have a feeling if they lose the 72(a) and Altman has not ruled on Jurisdiction they will drop it. Otherwise the trump camp has already said they will narrow the scope and drop the financial claim to avoid turning all of that over.
I haven’t been following it very closely so I may have some things wrong but I really can’t see anyone on the trump side wanting to take this all the way if Altman doesn’t give them a big wet kiss on the lips and grant their 72(a).