Donald Trump’s family, including all of his children, could soon be forced to testify under oath as a result of a lawsuit the so-called “president” has filed against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which could expose each of them to charges of perjury if they lie for a deposition in support of their father.
Florida media and First Amendment attorney Deanna Shullman told Newsweek that “relatives who possess information relevant to Trump’s alleged damages or the truth of the BBC’s disputed portrayal could be considered ‘fair game’ for discovery.”
“They could be deposed, but they could also be asked to produce documents like their correspondence with the president,” according to Shullman. “They may be asked to produce documents related to the truth or falsity of the statement at issue. They may be asked to produce communications with the president, and they may be deposed. I think it is fair game.”
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman temporarily paused an order that would require Trump to disclose information about the financial performance of businesses held by his family trust.
Trump is seeking $5 billion from the BBC for a 2024 documentary, which he claims the network edited and resulted in defamation of his name and character. The BBC apologized for the editing but denies it defamed Trump, especially since he happens to be a public figure.
Howard Wasserman, a law professor at Florida International University, concurred with Shullman regarding Trump’s relatives having to testify.
“There should not be anything sacrosanct about them, to the extent they possess relevant information to the case. They are potential non-party witnesses with knowledge of the business, just like many people, including members of the parties’ families, are non-party witnesses to cases all the time.”
Just imagine it: Don Jr. Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany, and Barron all having to give videotaped depositions in which one single lie could subject them to a perjury prosecution. It’s enough to make them question whether or not they want to keep protecting a man who would gladly toss them under the bus if the situation was reversed.
Any close examination of Trump’s finances is also likely to uncover all sorts of criminal fraud, which would open Donnie and his spawn up to a raft of new criminal charges for their part in a larger conspiracy.
Who do you suppose will be the first to turn on their old man? Ivanka? Don Jr.? Or might it be Barron, who doesn’t want to spend his college years behind bars?
Daddy Donnie has his family in one hell of a mess.
