Judge says Trump must give deposition in $10B BBC suit, warns case may be dismissed over records dispute

A United States federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to testify under oath by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

According to CNN, the ruling followed complaints from BBC lawyers that Trump had repeatedly delayed his deposition.

US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett issued the order during a hearing in Miami on Thursday.

Trump had previously agreed to testify on October 16 but cancelled, citing “matters of national importance.”

The lawsuit, filed in December 2025, concerns a BBC documentary that edited portions of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech before the Capitol riot.

Trump alleges the editing falsely portrayed him as encouraging violence and is seeking $10 billion in damages.

The BBC acknowledged the misleading editing and apologised but denied defaming the president.

The broadcaster also seeks testimony from former special counsel Jack Smith, whose investigation examined the Capitol attack.

The court’s discovery period ends on December 18, ahead of further proceedings.