Trump's legal case against BBC could force him to reveal details of business interests

Donald Trump is expected to come under pressure to make rare disclosures about his properties and business interests as part of his $10bn (£7.4bn) lawsuit against the BBC, the Guardian understands.

- Michael Savage Jamie Grierson

The US president is suing the BBC for defamation over a Panorama documentary that spliced together two parts of his address to a rally in Washington DC on 6 January 2021. The BBC has already apologised and said the edit was misleading, but has denied it defamed Trump.

In new documents submitted to the Florida court hearing the case, the corporation confirmed it will seek to have the case dismissed - a plan first reported by the Guardian.

It will argue that the Florida court lacks “personal jurisdiction” over the corporation, the court venue is “improper” and that Trump has “failed to state a claim”.

The corporation also argued that it should not be forced to make any legal disclosures about the documentary and its treatment of Trump before the judge deals with its request to have the case thrown out.

However, it is also understood that the way Trump has made his legal claim could also open him up to significant disclosures about his finances, businesses and property.

Trump’s lawyers argued the BBC had caused “direct harm to his professional and occupational interests, including, without limitation, the value of his brand, properties and businesses”.