US Judge orders Trump to answer questions under oath for his $10 billion BBC lawsuit

A federal judge in Florida has ordered US President Donald Trump to answer questions under oath by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, or risk having the case dismissed, Anadolu reports.

US Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett issued the order Thursday after the BBC’s lawyers accused Trump of delaying the process. Trump was scheduled to give a deposition on Oct. 16 but canceled, citing a “matter of national importance,” according to NBC News.

BBC attorney Charles Tobin dismissed that explanation as “fake news,” arguing that Trump had attended a political rally and fundraiser instead.

“He was participating in party politics and supported his candidates in the election, and he prioritized that over his obligations in this proceeding,” Tobin told the judge.

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Trump’s lawyers had suggested rescheduling the sworn testimony for late January, but Tobin argued that this would be too late.

With the court’s evidence phase ending Dec. 18, Trump is the central witness in the case, where he is suing for billions of dollars in damages over the BBC’s 2024 story.

Lett also ruled that Trump’s deposition could be videotaped, rejecting objections from his attorney, Alejandro Brito.

She said the deposition could be postponed if US District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz, who oversees the case, were to extend the discovery deadline. Only Kuntz has the authority to make that decision.

Asked about the deposition deadline, a spokesman for Trump’s personal legal team defended the lawsuit, saying, “President Trump’s powerhouse lawsuit is holding the BBC accountable for its defamation and reckless election interference just as he has held other fake news mainstream media responsible for their wrongdoing.”

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