BBC Seeks Court Order to Compel Trump Deposition
The BBC is asking a federal judge in Florida to force President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster, after his legal team abruptly canceled a scheduled session and proposed a new date that would fall after the discovery deadline.
According to a court filing submitted Tuesday, Trump's lawyers had agreed in July to have the president deposed on Friday, October 16, provided both sides kept the location and other logistics confidential. But on September 28, Trump's counsel informed the BBC that he "is no longer available for his deposition on October 16 due to other matters of national importance." While they promised to provide a replacement date quickly, they later suggested the second or third week of January—well after the discovery period is set to close on December 18.
The BBC's lawyers argue that Trump's refusal to sit for a deposition undermines the core rules of civil litigation. "Plaintiff chose to file this lawsuit and, in doing so, he accepted the obligations of civil litigation," the broadcaster's motion states. "The BBC therefore asks the Court to compel Plaintiff to confirm a date for his deposition, notify the BBC of a secure location where such deposition is possible and any other logistics required to ensure Plaintiff's safety, and sit for the deposition, as the core rules of discovery require."
Discovery Deadline Looms as BBC Pushes for Testimony
With nearly eight months of discovery completed, seven BBC witnesses already deposed, and only two months remaining before the December 18 deadline, the broadcaster contends that it still has no schedule to depose "the most central figure in this case: Plaintiff himself."
"There is hardly a more crucial and relevant piece of discovery in a defamation lawsuit than the deposition of the Plaintiff," BBC attorney Charles Tobin wrote in the filing.
US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Aytch Lett has scheduled a discovery hearing for October 22, which is expected to address the deposition dispute. The BBC is asking the judge to add the scheduling issue to the agenda and ultimately compel Trump to testify before the discovery window closes.
Trump's legal team has not publicly responded to the BBC's motion. However, the president's history of legal battles with media organizations suggests he may continue to resist sitting for a deposition, potentially setting up a high-stakes confrontation with the court.
Background: Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the BBC
Trump filed the lawsuit in December 2025, accusing the BBC of defaming him through a Panorama documentary that aired one day before the 2024 presidential election. The documentary focused on the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and included edited clips of a speech Trump gave at a rally that day.
The lawsuit alleges that the BBC deceptively spliced together portions of Trump's speech, creating the false impression that he directly urged supporters toward violence while omitting other remarks, including his call for them to act peacefully. Trump contends the editing damaged his reputation and business interests. The suit includes a defamation claim and a claim under Florida's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking up to $10 billion in damages.
The BBC has apologized for the edit, acknowledging that it gave viewers the mistaken impression that Trump had made a direct call for violent action. However, the broadcaster disputes that it defamed him and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The BBC also challenges whether the Florida court has jurisdiction, arguing that the documentary was never broadcast in the state. A trial has been provisionally scheduled for February 2027 if the case proceeds.
Lawsuit Backfires as Judge Allows Subpoenas for Trump's Family
The BBC's efforts to depose Trump come amid a series of legal setbacks for the president. In a ruling last Friday, Judge Lett authorized the BBC to serve subpoenas on three members of Trump's family—his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., daughter Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner—via alternative methods. The subpoenas demand documents and testimony about the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riots.
The development marks a humiliating twist for Trump, who launched the lawsuit expecting to put the broadcaster on the defensive. An insider told The Mirror: "Whereas Trump and his team thought the BBC would roll over much as US TV bosses have, nothing could be further from the truth. They are fighting it all the way. Not only is he on the hook for a subpoena, but now his kids and Kushner are too."
The court has also ordered the release of Trump's finances and records from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. These disclosures could provide the BBC with additional ammunition as it builds its defense.
Broader Implications: A Test of Media Defamation Battles
The standoff over Trump's deposition highlights the broader stakes in his legal war with the press. Trump has a long history of suing media companies, often forcing settlements or costly legal battles. But the BBC's refusal to back down suggests a shifting dynamic, where international broadcasters may be less willing to capitulate to threats of litigation.
The case also raises questions about whether a sitting president can be compelled to testify in a civil suit he initiated. While courts have generally held that presidents are not immune from civil discovery, the logistical and constitutional considerations can complicate enforcement. The BBC's motion will test the limits of that principle.
If Judge Lett grants the BBC's request, Trump could be forced to sit for a deposition under oath, where he would face questions about his January 6 speech, his business dealings, and potentially his family's involvement. His refusal to testify could lead to sanctions, including the possibility of the case being dismissed or a default judgment.
Conversely, if the court sides with Trump and allows the deposition to be postponed until after the discovery deadline, the BBC may be deprived of critical testimony. That could weaken its defense and increase the pressure to settle.
Beyond the courtroom, the case could influence how media organizations respond to legal threats from powerful figures. A BBC victory—or even a prolonged fight—might encourage other outlets to resist similar lawsuits rather than settle. For Trump, the lawsuit has already produced unwelcome scrutiny of his finances and inner circle, turning what he may have intended as a show of strength into a sprawling legal morass.
The next key moment comes on October 22, when Judge Lett will hold a discovery hearing. The outcome of that session could determine whether Trump testifies before the year ends or whether the case heads toward trial with a significant gap in the evidentiary record.
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