BBC seeks court order to compel Donald Trump's deposition

The BBC has petitioned a federal judge in Florida to compel Donald Trump to sit for a deposition regarding his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. The legal dispute stems from a BBC documentary that Trump claims used selective editing of his January 6, 2021, speech to create a false impression that he encouraged supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol.

According to court filings, the parties had previously agreed to a deposition scheduled for October 16. However, Trump’s legal team later stated the president was no longer available due to “other matters of national importance.” While his lawyers suggested he might be available in the second or third week of January 2027, the BBC argues this delay falls well after the court-mandated deadline for the discovery phase.

The BBC has requested that the court require Trump’s team to confirm a date and a secure location for the deposition. The broadcaster noted that despite seven depositions of BBC witnesses, they have been unable to schedule the testimony of the central figure in the case. A discovery hearing regarding this issue is expected on October 22.