A federal judge issued an order requiring President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition as part of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The court set a deadline of December 11 for the deposition to take place. The judge threatened sanctions if Trump fails to comply with the court's schedule, following complaints from the BBC regarding previous delays.
The BBC has acknowledged splicing together quotes from a speech by Trump, but the organization continues to deny the defamation claims. In addition to the order for Trump, the judge ruled that former special counsel Jack Smith must receive permission from his agency head before he is permitted to testify.
This case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates, who have noted that Trump has previously faced similar lawsuits from other news outlets. As the December 11 deadline approaches, the legal proceedings remain focused on the discovery phase of the $10 billion suit.
This case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates, who have noted that Trump has previously faced similar lawsuits from other news outlets.