The short version
- The BBC has filed a motion with a Florida federal judge to force Donald Trump to appear for a deposition in his defamation lawsuit against the network.
- Trump’s legal team canceled a previously agreed-upon session, citing national duties, and proposed new dates that fall outside the court-mandated discovery period.
- The dispute highlights procedural tensions as the case nears its discovery deadline, with the BBC arguing that Trump has not fulfilled his obligations as a plaintiff.
A federal judge in Florida is being asked to intervene in a high-profile defamation lawsuit after the British Broadcasting Corporation requested an order compelling Donald Trump to sit for a deposition. The motion, filed on Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in procedural disputes between the former president’s legal team and the broadcaster as the case approaches critical deadlines.
The conflict centers on scheduling logistics that have stalled for months. According to court filings, the BBC and Trump’s attorneys had previously agreed that the former president would be deposed on Friday. However, on September 28, Trump’s counsel notified the BBC that he was no longer available for that date due to other matters of national importance.
While Trump’s lawyers indicated they would promptly provide a replacement date, they ultimately suggested availability only in the second or third week of January. This proposed timeframe falls well after the deadline established for completing the discovery phase of the litigation. The BBC argues that this delay undermines the integrity of the legal process and prevents them from gathering essential evidence.
In their motion, BBC attorneys emphasized that Trump voluntarily initiated the lawsuit and thereby accepted the standard obligations of civil litigation. They are asking Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Aytch Lett to require Trump’s team to confirm a specific date, identify a secure location for the testimony, and handle all necessary logistics to ensure safety.
The BBC has pledged to keep the deposition location confidential, addressing potential security concerns raised by Trump’s camp. Despite these assurances, the former president’s legal representatives have not finalized arrangements. The broadcaster contends that nearly eight months into discovery, with only two months remaining, they still lack a schedule to depose the central figure in the case.
Judge Lett has scheduled a discovery hearing for October 22, which is expected to address this deposition issue among other procedural matters. The outcome of this hearing could determine whether the court imposes sanctions or strict deadlines on Trump’s legal team to ensure compliance with discovery rules.
The underlying lawsuit was filed by Trump in December 2025, seeking $10 billion in damages. He accused the BBC of violating Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act regarding an edit in a Panorama documentary. The program had combined comments made by Trump during a rally on January 6, 2021, in a manner that he claimed was misleading.
The BBC has apologized for the editing error but maintains that the apology does not negate the need for proper legal procedures to be followed. This case is part of a broader pattern of legal actions taken by Trump against various media organizations, reflecting ongoing tensions between the former president and news outlets.
As the discovery phase winds down, the pressure mounts on both sides to resolve outstanding evidentiary issues. The BBC’s motion underscores the challenges of litigating against a high-profile political figure who may prioritize other commitments over civil court obligations. The judge’s decision will likely set important precedents for how such disputes are managed in future cases.
Legal observers note that failure to comply with discovery orders can have serious consequences, including default judgments or adverse inference instructions. However, Trump’s team may argue that national security or executive duties justify the delay. The upcoming hearing will test these arguments against the strict timelines imposed by federal civil procedure rules.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗BBC asks judge to force Trump to sit for deposition as part of his $10bn lawsuit
