Donald Trump must sit for a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, a federal judge has ruled, adding pressure to a legal fight that has already triggered a major crisis at the British broadcaster.
The order was issued Thursday by US Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett during a court hearing. Trump’s legal team had previously canceled a scheduled deposition in October, citing conflicts with his presidential responsibilities.
The BBC had accused the US president and his lawyers of delaying the proceedings and failing to provide records and other information requested during the evidence-gathering stage of the case.
Trump filed the lawsuit in a Florida federal court in December, alleging that the BBC deliberately misrepresented his January 6, 2021, speech by combining separate portions of his remarks. According to the complaint, the edited footage gave viewers the impression that he had directly encouraged supporters to storm the US Capitol.
The disputed clip appeared in the broadcaster’s Panorama documentary shortly before the 2024 US presidential election, which Trump won.
BBC challenges Trump’s claims and evidence requests
The BBC has acknowledged that the editing was misleading and issued an apology to Trump. However, the broadcaster maintains that the mistake does not amount to defamation and disputes its legal responsibility for the alleged harm.
As the case moves forward, the BBC is seeking financial records linked to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and his network of business entities. The broadcaster argues that the documents are necessary to examine his claims for damages and prepare its defence.
Trump’s lawyers have pushed back, describing the requests as overly broad and unrelated to the central issues in the lawsuit. They have also rejected suggestions that the president is deliberately avoiding questioning, arguing that his official duties and security requirements must take priority.
A spokesperson for Trump’s personal legal team said the lawsuit was intended to hold the BBC accountable for defamation and what the administration characterised as reckless election interference.
Editing controversy sparked BBC leadership crisis
The legal dispute stems from an internal BBC controversy that erupted after a leaked memo highlighted the documentary’s handling of Trump’s speech as a possible sign of political bias.
The revelations sparked widespread criticism and a serious reputational crisis for the broadcaster. BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness resigned in November 2025 following the controversy.
The case is among several lawsuits Trump has brought against media organisations over coverage he considers damaging or unfair. His legal challenge against the BBC now places his own testimony under scrutiny, with the court setting a December deadline for him to answer questions under oath.
The BBC has declined to comment on the latest ruling. The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented and whether Trump can establish that the broadcaster’s editing amounted to legally actionable defamation.
