Judge orders Donald Trump to sit for BBC defamation lawsuit deposition

US Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett in Miami ordered President Donald Trump on October 22 to sit for a deposition by December 11 in his 10 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Washington Examiner, CNBC, Euronews, and MSNBC reported that the ruling followed complaints from the broadcaster's legal team that Trump was repeatedly delaying his testimony. [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10]

According to Euronews, the BBC accused Trump of trying to postpone his questioning until January 2027, while CNBC reported his lawyers requested dates between January 11 and January 22. MSNBC noted that an earlier schedule negotiated by both parties included an October 16 deposition, but Trump's attorneys recently canceled that session. [2][3][4]

The lawsuit stems from a December 2025 complaint in which Trump accused the British broadcaster of defamation over a documentary about the events of January 6, 2021, the Washington Examiner reported. BBC attorney Charles Tobin argued in court that the lack of a deposition was jeopardizing the broadcaster's defense with only two months remaining in the discovery period, Euronews reported. [1][3]

Euronews and MSNBC reported that Trump could face penalties, including the possible dismissal of his lawsuit, if he fails to meet the December 11 deadline before the discovery period closes on December 18. [3][4]