A federal judge has ordered US President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC by December 11. The ruling came as lawyers for the British broadcaster expressed frustration over Trump’s repeated delays in appearing for the deposition. The judge emphasized that Trump must comply with the order or face potential legal consequences, including the dismissal of his case.
The BBC’s legal team stated that despite multiple attempts to schedule the deposition, Trump has not yet appeared. They noted that with two months remaining in the discovery period, the plaintiff has still not been deposed. The judge’s order follows complaints from the BBC’s lawyers that Trump has been uncooperative in the legal process.
This case has been ongoing for several years, with Trump alleging that the BBC published false and defamatory statements about him. The BBC has denied these claims, asserting that its reporting was accurate and based on factual evidence. The deposition is a critical step in the legal proceedings, as it would allow the BBC to gather sworn statements from Trump regarding the allegations.
The judge’s decision highlights the growing pressure on Trump to cooperate with legal processes related to his high-profile lawsuits. The BBC has previously accused Trump of attempting to delay the deposition until early 2027, which the judge has now rejected. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both parties involved.
