Judge Orders Trump to Be Deposed in $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the BBC

A U.S. judge has mandated that former President Donald Trump provide sworn testimony by December 11, 2026, in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The order, issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett in Miami on Thursday, came after the BBC expressed frustration over Trump's repeated delays in scheduling the deposition. Lawyers for the broadcaster noted that Trump canceled a previously agreed-upon October 16 date, citing "matters of national importance," despite reportedly being on the campaign trail that day.

Should Trump fail to comply with the December deadline, he risks potential sanctions, including the dismissal of his entire lawsuit. Trump initiated the legal action in December 2025, alleging that the BBC's documentary "Trump: A Second Chance" deceptively edited his January 6, 2021, speech to suggest he was inciting violence.

While the BBC has issued an apology for the editing, which led to executive resignations, the broadcaster denies that the incident caused Trump any significant injury and is seeking to have the case dismissed. Judge Lett also rejected Trump's request to prohibit the videotaping of his deposition, although the recording will be restricted to the attorneys involved in the case.