A US judge has mandated that former President Donald Trump must provide sworn testimony in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC by December 11. This ruling comes after Trump previously canceled a deposition scheduled for October 16, citing “matters of national importance,” while he was campaigning in Georgia.
During a court session in Miami, Charles Tobin, representing the BBC, highlighted that Trump had prioritized his campaign activities over the deposition. The lawsuit stems from a BBC Panorama episode that allegedly misrepresented Trump’s speech prior to the January 6 Capitol riot, which he claims was edited to distort his message.
US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett emphasized the importance of the deposition, stating that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including the potential dismissal of the lawsuit unless the discovery period is extended. The discovery phase is crucial as both parties exchange evidence that may be used in court.
Trump’s legal team has indicated that he could be available for questioning between January 11 and 22, 2024, countering claims that he is avoiding the deposition. The lawsuit, filed in Florida, accuses the BBC of “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring” his speech, which he delivered outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The BBC has acknowledged an error in the broadcast, which it stated gave the “mistaken impression” that Trump called for violent action.
In response to the lawsuit, the BBC has sought its dismissal, arguing that the program does not meet the legal standards for defamation and was not accessible in the US. Trump’s legal representatives conceded in July that they had no evidence to support their claim that the documentary was available on the BBC’s BritBox service or its website.
Following the BBC’s defense, Trump agreed to withdraw his lawsuit against BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm, after it clarified that it had no involvement in the documentary’s production.
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