Trump to Give BBC Deposition in $10 Billion Defamation Case in January

WHO:

ABC News - Donald Trump filed the $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC; the broadcaster is the defendant.

ABC News - U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett presided over the hearing in Miami.

ABC News - The BBC subpoenaed former special counsel Jack Smith. Trump’s lawyers opposed his deposition; the BBC argued he was an authoritative source on the January 6 events.

ABC News - BBC attorney Charles D. Tobin said Trump’s deposition delays had prevented the broadcaster from obtaining evidence for its defense.

Newsweek - Trump’s lawyers said he would be available for questioning in January, provided the deposition was not recorded.

WHAT:

ABC News - Trump is suing the BBC for $10 billion, alleging defamation and deceptive and unfair trade practices over the documentary “Trump: A Second Chance.” The BBC denies defamation.

ABC News - The BBC acknowledged that the documentary’s filmmakers spliced together quotes from different parts of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, making it appear that he directly urged violence. The BBC apologized; its head and top news executive resigned.

ABC News - At the hearing, the parties argued over whether Smith should be deposed and were expected to address when Trump would give his deposition. Trump strongly opposes Smith’s deposition.

ABC News - Trump’s lawyers argued Smith lacked personal knowledge of the speech, its preparation, and Trump’s state of mind; they also said his testimony would be duplicative because he had published a lengthy report and testified for many hours.

ABC News - The BBC argued Smith had spent years investigating the January 6 events and that Trump could not prevent it from obtaining evidence to defend the lawsuit.

Newsweek - Trump’s lawyers said he would give a BBC deposition during January 11-22, with the condition that it not be recorded.

WHERE:

ABC News - The hearing before Judge Lett took place in Miami.

ABC News - The lawsuit concerns the BBC, a British broadcaster, and a documentary about Trump’s speech to supporters before the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

WHEN:

Newsweek - Trump’s lawyers offered January 11-22 for his deposition.

ABC News - The court’s discovery period was scheduled to close on December 18.

WHY:

ABC News - Trump’s lawyers said he canceled the agreed deposition date because of “matters of national importance.” The BBC said he sought to postpone his appearance until January 2027.

Newsweek - Trump’s lawyers conditioned his availability on the deposition not being recorded.

HOW:

ABC News - The BBC asked the judge to compel Trump to appear after he canceled an agreed deposition date; the judge threatened sanctions if he failed to follow the court’s schedule.

ABC News - The BBC sought Smith’s testimony by subpoena; Trump’s lawyers filed jointly to request a hearing opposing his deposition.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:20 UTC)

A Miami hearing focused on evidence in President Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC over its documentary, “Trump: A Second Chance.” Trump alleges defamation and deceptive trade practices; the BBC denies defamation. The broadcaster acknowledged that editors spliced together parts of his January 6 speech, making it appear he directly urged violence, and apologized. The BBC subpoenaed former special counsel Jack Smith, arguing his years investigating the Capitol attack make him an authoritative witness. Trump’s lawyers oppose his deposition, saying Smith lacks personal knowledge of the speech and his testimony would repeat his report and prior testimony. The BBC also asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett to compel Trump’s deposition after he canceled an agreed date, citing matters of national importance. His lawyers offered January 11-22, provided questioning is not recorded. The judge warned Trump could face sanctions for missing the court’s schedule.