US judge rules information about the President’s businesses is relevant to his claim that a Panorama documentary damaged his reputation
Donald Trump has been ordered to provide detailed financial information about his business interests as part of his $10bn legal action against the BBC.
US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ruled during a discovery hearing in Miami that the financial performance of Trump’s businesses remained relevant to the case as it is currently pleaded.
The ruling means lawyers representing the BBC can continue seeking records relating to businesses held through the Trump family trust. The documents will be disclosed as part of the court proceedings and will not necessarily become publicly available.
Trump launched the case in December 2025 over the way his speech on January 6, 2021, was edited for the Panorama documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast shortly before the 2024 US presidential election.
The programme combined remarks delivered at different points in the speech, including Trump telling supporters they would walk to the Capitol and a later statement in which he said they should “fight like hell”.
The BBC subsequently apologised, accepting that the edit had unintentionally made the separate extracts appear to form one continuous passage and had created the mistaken impression that Trump made a direct call for violent action.
However, the corporation has rejected Trump’s allegation that the programme was defamatory and has said it will defend the proceedings.
Trump’s original complaint claimed the broadcast had caused substantial damage to his personal reputation, commercial standing and businesses. His lawyers are now seeking to amend the case so that it focuses on reputational harm rather than direct financial losses.
Judge Lett ruled that until the complaint is formally changed, the business-related allegations remain part of the case and the BBC is entitled to seek financial evidence.
The broadcaster is expected to argue that Trump’s business success and increasing wealth since the documentary was shown are inconsistent with his claim that the programme caused serious commercial damage.
Trump’s legal team is expected to challenge the disclosure decision before the district judge overseeing the case.
The BBC is also seeking to have the wider action dismissed. It argues that the Florida court does not have jurisdiction because the Panorama programme was produced and broadcast in Britain and was not distributed in Florida.
Trump recently withdrew his claims against two BBC Studios subsidiaries but is continuing his action against the British Broadcasting Corporation itself.
The lawsuit seeks $5bn for alleged defamation and a further $5bn under Florida’s law covering deceptive and unfair trade practices.
A provisional two-week trial has been scheduled to begin in Miami on February 15, 2027, although the case could still be dismissed or substantially changed before it reaches a jury.
