US President Donald Trump has been ordered by a federal judge to answer questions under oath by December 11, 2026, as part of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The order, issued by US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett on Thursday, October 22, requires Trump to sit for questioning by the BBC’s lawyers as the legal battle over an edited documentary continues.
The lawsuit centres on a BBC Panorama programme that combined separate portions of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, creating what he claims was a misleading impression that he directly encouraged violence before supporters stormed the US Capitol.
Trump’s legal team argues that the broadcaster deliberately altered the speech in a way that damaged his reputation.
Why the Judge Ordered Trump to Testify
The court’s decision followed a dispute over Trump’s failure to attend a previously scheduled deposition on October 16.
The BBC’s lawyers argued that they had been unable to question Trump under oath despite the case moving through the evidence-gathering stage, known as discovery.
Trump’s previous deposition was cancelled after his legal team cited matters of national importance. The BBC argued that he had instead attended a political rally in Georgia and a fundraiser in Florida that day.
Trump’s lawyers rejected the suggestion that he was deliberately avoiding questioning, saying his presidential responsibilities and security requirements needed to be considered.
In a separate court filing, his lawyers proposed dates in January 2027 for the deposition, but the judge ordered that it take place by December 11 unless the discovery timetable is extended.
The judge also warned that failure to comply with the court’s directions could result in sanctions, including dismissal of the lawsuit.
What Is Trump’s $10 Billion Case Against the BBC About?
Trump filed the lawsuit in Florida, accusing the BBC of defamation over its editing of his speech delivered shortly before the January 6 Capitol riot.
The documentary combined different sections of his remarks, which Trump says falsely suggested that he directly called for violent action.
The BBC has acknowledged that the editing was misleading and apologised for the resulting impression. However, the broadcaster denies that the programme legally amounted to defamation and has asked the court to dismiss the case.
The BBC has also challenged aspects of Trump’s claims about the documentary’s availability to viewers in the United States.
The case has raised wider questions about journalistic editing, the responsibilities of broadcasters and the legal limits of reporting on political figures.
BBC Faces Pressure to Provide Documents
The deposition order is part of a broader dispute over the exchange of evidence between the two sides.
The BBC has sought financial records from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and related business entities, arguing that the information is necessary to challenge his damages claims.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that some of the requests are too broad and irrelevant to the case.
The judge has also directed Trump’s legal team to provide relevant documents and warned that failure to cooperate with the discovery process could have serious consequences for the lawsuit.
The legal proceedings are continuing, and the court has not yet determined whether the BBC is liable for defamation.
Trump’s scheduled deposition will give the broadcaster’s lawyers an opportunity to question him under oath about his claims and the alleged damage caused by the documentary.