A federal judge ordered the BBC on Tuesday to file its formal answer to Donald Trump's defamation complaint by Dec. 1, 2026, advancing the president's $10 billion lawsuit into discovery.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Kuntz in the Southern District of Florida denied in part the broadcaster's motion to dismiss, finding that Trump plausibly alleged reputational damage and actual malice. The legal dispute centers on a 12-second clip in the documentary "Trump: A Second Chance" that spliced statements delivered nearly 55 minutes apart from a 70-minute address on Jan. 6, 2021, while leaving out remarks calling for peaceful protest.
"Accepting the allegations in the complaint as true, the Court finds Trump plausibly pled damages where Trump alleges a defamatory documentary released toward the election caused reputational harm," Judge Kuntz wrote. Addressing the editorial choices, the judge added: "This was not trimming around the edges but creating something different than what was stated in the speech."
Judge Kuntz dismissed a separate count alleging violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Although the network previously apologized to Trump for misleading editing, it continues to dispute legal liability for defamation. In a public statement regarding the ruling, the broadcaster said: "We are surprised by this decision but respect the Court’s authority and note the case will now proceed to the next stage."
Discovery Timetable and Subpoenas
The ruling moves the lawsuit into an evidentiary phase that carries firm court deadlines for both parties. As part of discovery into the events of Jan. 6, 2021, defense counsel for the network subpoenaed testimony from former special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump also faces a binding timetable set by U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett. Under an order issued in late October, Trump must sit for a videotaped deposition conducted by defense attorneys by Dec. 11, 2026, or risk judicial sanctions.
