Judge orders Trump to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC
NBC News, CNBC and Axios reported that a federal judge in Florida ordered Trump on Thursday, Oct. 22, to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. Politico reported that the order covers a deposition Trump had canceled. CNBC reported that Trump's lawyers had asked for a deposition between Jan. 11 and Jan. 22. The Guardian reported that the judge threatened to dismiss the case unless Trump cooperates with discovery and sits for the deposition. The BBC reported that the suit concerns a Panorama episode that edited together two sections of a 2021 speech. Axios reported that Trump's lawyers say the edit was misleading. AP News reported that Trump filed the suit last December.
A deposition is sworn testimony taken outside the courtroom, and the other side's lawyers can ask about anything relevant to the case. In a defamation suit the plaintiff has to show that the statement caused harm, so the BBC's lawyers can press Trump on damages, his reputation and his own public statements. When a judge sets a deadline and attaches a dismissal warning, delay carries a cost for the person who filed the suit.
Most readers will never be deposed, but the case shows how a lawsuit works: a person who sues opens himself to questions under oath. It also bears on how news outlets edit speeches, which many Americans watch in short clips. If the case continues, parts of the testimony could reach the public through court filings.
Trump's side argues that the BBC's edit misled viewers, Axios reported, and that the broadcaster should answer for it in court. Its request for January dates, as CNBC reported, shows it wanted the deposition later than the judge allowed.
The BBC has pressed for the deposition to go ahead, and the judge's warning of dismissal, as The Guardian reported, supports the argument that a plaintiff who files a suit must take part in discovery like any other party. On this view the president's position as plaintiff carries the same obligations as anyone else's.
Confirmed: the judge ordered a deposition by Dec. 11 and warned that the case could be dismissed without cooperation. Not confirmed: whether Trump will appear by that date, whether his lawyers will appeal or ask for more time, or what he will be asked. Watch for a court filing that sets the deposition date and for any request to extend the pretrial schedule.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 19 · October 23, 2026