Judge Orders Trump to Testify in BBC Suit by December 11 or Face Dismissal
A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, warning that failure to comply could result in the case being dismissed. The ruling follows a dispute over Trump’s cancellation of a previously scheduled October session and his legal team’s failure to produce adequate internal documents. The BBC is also seeking membership records from Mar-a-Lago to test claims of professional harm.
Key points
- Judge Enjoliqué Aytch Lett ordered Trump to be deposed by December 11, rejecting his request to delay until January.
- The judge warned that non-compliance could lead to sanctions, including dismissal of the lawsuit.
- The BBC has subpoenaed membership records from Mar-a-Lago to test Trump’s claims of professional harm.
- Trump’s legal team cancelled an October 16 deposition, citing 'matters of national importance,' but Trump attended a rally in Georgia that day.
- The BBC has issued at least 47 subpoenas to former and current government officials and private advisers in Trump’s circle.
Background
The lawsuit was filed in December 2025 over a BBC Panorama documentary that aired before the 2024 election. The documentary combined excerpts from Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, which Trump alleges falsely portrayed him as encouraging violence at the Capitol. The BBC apologized for the edit but denies the defamation claim. This case is part of a broader pattern of Trump suing media outlets, including ABC and CBS, which settled for $16 million each.
How outlets are covering it
The Daily Beast highlights former White House attorney Ty Cobb’s prediction that Trump will refuse to sit for the deposition, citing his history of suing media outlets. CNN emphasizes the judge’s skepticism about Trump’s legal team’s document production and the risk of case dismissal. The New York Times focuses on the judge’s order and the BBC’s argument that Trump prioritized campaign activities over court obligations. Al Jazeera provides a detailed explanation of the deposition process and the potential consequences of non-compliance, including sanctions and dismissal.
Why it matters
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for media liability and the limits of presidential litigation. If the case is dismissed, it could undermine Trump’s legal strategy against media outlets. Conversely, if Trump complies, the deposition could expose sensitive information about his reputation and business dealings.
What to watch
Trump must decide whether to comply with the December 11 deposition order or risk sanctions. The BBC is expected to continue its discovery process, including the Mar-a-Lago records and subpoenas to former officials. The judge will rule on objections to documents and questions in the coming weeks.
- First-Term Trump Lawyer Makes Damning Prediction About $10B Lawsuit The Daily Beast
- Judge insists Trump must be deposed in his $10B lawsuit against the BBC, warns it could be tossed in fight over records CNN
- Judge Orders Trump to Sit for Deposition in BBC Defamation Case The New York Times
- Trump ordered to testify in $10bn BBC lawsuit discovery: What happens now? Al Jazeera
- The BBC Strikes Back Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance
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