A Miami federal judge has given former President Donald Trump a deadline of December 11 to sit for a sworn deposition in his $10 billion defamation action against the British broadcaster BBC. The order follows the BBC’s complaint that Trump repeatedly avoided the scheduled October 16 deposition, even cancelling the agreed date.
**Key facts the court highlighted**
- The deposition must occur on or before Dec. 11, or Trump faces possible sanctions, including dismissal of his lawsuit.
- Trump alleges the BBC’s documentary “Trump: A Second Chance” was edited to suggest he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
- The former president is seeking at least $5 billion on each of two counts, totaling $10 billion.
- BBC attorney Charles Tobin told the court that Trump’s excuse of “participating in party politics” on Oct. 16 was insufficient, emphasizing that “no plaintiff is above the law.”
What are the consequences if Trump misses the deadline?
The court warned that non‑compliance could trigger sanctions ranging from monetary penalties to outright dismissal of the defamation claim. Such a dismissal would end Trump’s pursuit of the multibillion‑dollar damages he claims were caused by the documentary.
Why did the BBC file the lawsuit?
The BBC contends that the documentary’s editing did not cause any real injury to Trump and has moved to have the case thrown out. While the broadcaster apologized for the editorial mishap that led to senior executives resigning, it maintains that the alleged damage is unsubstantiated.
How did Trump’s legal team respond?
In a filing submitted on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers argued that the former president was not evading the deposition but was constrained by “matters of national importance.” They suggested a new window for the deposition between Jan. 11 and Jan. 22, 2027.
Background on the Jan. 6 incident
The documentary portrays Trump as urging supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after his electoral defeat. The crowd subsequently stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.
Wider context of Trump’s media battles
Trump has long positioned the press as an adversary, frequently attacking reporters and seeking to bar critical outlets from the White House. Recent disputes involve CNN, MSNBC, and Politico over alleged exclusion from White House briefings.
Political outlook for Trump
Polls show Trump’s approval rating hovering in the low 30 percent range, and the Republican Party is projected to lose control of the House in the upcoming November 3 mid‑term elections, adding further pressure as he approaches the end of his political influence.
The order was issued by Judge Enjolique Lett of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, underscoring the judiciary’s insistence that even high‑profile plaintiffs must adhere to procedural rules.