Trump Faces December Deadline in $10 Billion BBC Defamation Lawsuit

A federal judge has set a Dec. 11 deadline for former President Donald Trump to provide a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett issued the order on Thursday, responding to complaints from BBC attorneys that Trump had been delaying the deposition.

Trump's deposition was initially scheduled for Oct. 16 but was postponed due to what his team cited as a "matter of national importance." BBC attorneys argued that Trump prioritized political activities over the deposition. According to the Associated Press, Trump's team stated he "was participating in party politics and prioritized that over sitting for the deposition."

If Trump fails to meet the Dec. 11 deadline, his defamation case could be dismissed, unless he successfully obtains an extension for the discovery phase. The lawsuit, filed last year, stems from a 2024 BBC documentary that incorporated segments of Trump's remarks to supporters at the White House ellipse prior to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The lawsuit alleges the BBC's editing created the false impression that Trump encouraged the riot.