Federal judge orders Trump to sit for deposition by Dec. 11 in $10 billion BBC defamation suit
Photo: NBC NewsA federal magistrate judge in Miami on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett warned that the suit could be dismissed if he does not comply with the order or with discovery obligations. Trump had agreed to be deposed on Oct. 16, but his attorneys canceled, citing matters of national importance, according to an Oct. 13 filing. BBC attorney Charles Tobin said the BBC had sought a date since July and that discovery closes Dec. 18. Trump's lawyers had asked for a deposition between Jan. 11 and Jan. 22. Trump sued on Dec. 15 over a Panorama documentary aired a week before the 2024 election.
Right-leaning outlets lead with the BBC's accusation of delay, the sanctions warning and Tobin's filing. Left-leaning outlets also stress the possible dismissal, and NBC adds Tobin's claim that the canceled date went to a political rally and fundraiser. Alternative outlets add the lawsuit's background and the BBC's complaints about document production, with Axios noting the order will likely force Trump to answer under oath. All sides agree on the Dec. 11 deadline and the $10 billion claim.
How the sides differ Right sources stress the BBC's delay complaints and sanction warning; left sources highlight the rally explanation; alternative sources add the suit's background and discovery dispute.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
NBC and MS NOW lead with the order and the dismissal risk. NBC features BBC lawyer Tobin saying Trump chose a political rally and fundraiser over the deposition.
Axios and CNBC report the order and add background: the disputed speech edit, the Panorama suit, and BBC filings accusing Trump's team of foot-dragging on documents.
- Washington TimesJudge orders Trump to sit for a deposition in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11
The Washington Examiner stresses the BBC's complaint of repeated delay, Lett's sanctions warning, and Tobin's filings. The Washington Times gives only a brief report of the order.