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President Trump is expected to come under pressure to make rare disclosures about his properties and business interests as part of his $10bn lawsuit against the BBC<\/a>, the Guardian understands.<\/p>\n Trump is suing the BBC for defamation over a Panorama documentary that spliced together two parts of the president\u2019s address to a rally on 6 January 2021. The BBC has already apologised and said the edit was misleading, but has denied it defamed Trump.<\/p>\n In new documents submitted to the Florida court hearing the case, the corporation confirmed it will seek to have the case dismissed \u2013 a plan first reported by the Guardian<\/a>.<\/p>\n It will argue that the Florida court lacks \u201cpersonal jurisdiction\u201d over the corporation, the court venue is \u201cimproper\u201d and that Trump has \u201cfailed to state a claim\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 empire.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s lawyers argued the BBC had caused \u201cdirect harm to his professional and occupational interests, including, without limitation, the value of his brand, properties and businesses\u201d.<\/p>\n The BBC is likely to use that claim to demand the release of sensitive details about Trump\u2019s properties and business.<\/p>\n Trump has previously been reluctant to disclose information about his finances, repeatedly refusing to disclose his tax returns, as other presidential candidates have done for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n His tax returns covering six years were eventually published<\/a> by a congressional committee in 2022. The documents, covering 2015 to 2020, showed business losses and complicated tax arrangements.<\/p>\n Should the case go ahead, it will provide a major test for the BBC\u2019s next director general. Tim Davie, who resigned after the Panorama claims last year, is continuing in the post until his successor is found. The court battle would take place in 2027.<\/p>\n The broadcaster has asked the court \u201cto stay all other discovery\u201d \u2013 the pre-trial process in which parties gather information \u2013 pending the decision on the motion.<\/p>\n \u201cThe plaintiff will seek broad, objectionable discovery on the merits, implicating the BBC\u2019s entire scope of coverage of Donald J Trump over the past decade or more and claiming injury to his entire business and political profiles,\u201d the BBC\u2019s case states.<\/p>\n