Court Orders Trump Testimony in BBC Defamation Case

A federal judge in Florida ordered President Donald Trump to give a deposition by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The case centers on the broadcaster’s editing of his speech and its alleged impact. U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett said lawyers could videotape Trump’s testimony. If he doesn’t comply, the court could dismiss the case.

The deposition deadline

Lett issued the order after BBC lawyers accused Trump of delaying his deposition. He was due to testify on Oct. 16 but canceled, citing a “matter of national importance.” BBC attorney Charles Tobin told the judge that the matter turned out to be a political rally and fundraiser. “He was participating in party politics and prioritized that over sitting for the deposition,” Tobin said.

Trump’s attorneys asked to postpone the deposition until late January. Tobin objected, saying that date would come too late because discovery in the case is scheduled to close Dec. 18. He told the judge Trump was the most important witness, since he claims the BBC’s 2024 story caused billions of dollars in damages.

Lett rejected Trump attorney Alejandro Brito’s objection to videotaping the deposition. She said the deposition could be delayed if the district judge overseeing the case extends the discovery deadline. Only that judge, Jeffrey Kuntz, can grant an extension.

Dispute over the BBC documentary

Trump sued the British news organization last year. He alleges that a documentary portrayed him in a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious” way by splicing together comments from his Jan. 6, 2021, speech at the Ellipse before the Capitol riot.

The BBC has acknowledged splicing the comments together, but says Trump wasn’t defamed and suffered no damages. Trump says the documentary aired in the days before the 2024 election. The BBC says it never showed the special in the United States. The parties continue to dispute the editing, the program’s alleged effects and the damages Trump claims.

A spokesman for Trump’s personal legal team said: “President Trump’s powerhouse lawsuit is holding the BBC accountable for its defamation and reckless election interference just as he has held other fake news mainstream media responsible for their wrongdoing.” The BBC declined to comment.

Mar-a-Lago records sought

The BBC subpoenaed Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club for information on whether the documentary affected membership applications and fees, despite not airing in the United States. Brito argued that the court should quash the subpoena because Trump wasn’t claiming the program affected his business.

Tobin responded that Trump’s suit says the documentary “injured President Trump in his profession, occupation and trade,” making the information relevant. Lett agreed the requested information “falls within” the type of information that should be produced. The court ordered Trump to give his deposition by Dec. 11 unless the discovery schedule changes, as the parties continue to dispute whether the BBC’s editing caused legally recoverable harm.