President Donald Trump's family could be hauled in for questioning over a looming $10 billion lawsuit, attorneys said Saturday.
Trump's family might have to turn over communications and submit themselves for question as Trump sues the BBC — and tries to keep his business records under wraps, media lawyer Deanna Shullman told Newsweek.
"They may be asked to produce communications with the president, and they may be deposed," she said. "I think it is fair game."
Howard Wasserman, a Florida International University law professor, agreed with Shullman's assessment.
"There should not be anything sacrosanct about them," Wasserman said. "They are potential non-party witnesses with knowledge of the business, just like many people, including members of the parties’ families."
Trump has sued the BBC for defamation and unfair trade practices over its 2024 documentary about the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. The BBC denies his allegations.
In his complaint, the president argued the documentary caused "extensive economic harms," to his various brands.
The BBC then argued that it would need access to his financial records to determine if his complaint had merit.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman temporarily paused an order requiring Trump to disclose financial businesses held by his family trust.
Trump’s case now hangs on whether a new complaint can separate his alleged injury to his reputation from his business interests, Shullman and Wasserman told Newsweek.
"If the amendment disclaims all economic damages and really just focuses on mental health or emotional distress damages, the president may be successful in avoiding that discovery," she said.
Shullman added it would be "very tricky" for Trump to exclude his finances if his amended complaint ties his personal reputation to brand in any way.
"I think it is quite possible that the family members will still have very relevant information about President Trump’s damages," she said. "They may also have relevant information about other issues in the case, truth being one of them."
