Trump’s BBC lawsuit faces dismissal after judge’s warning

US President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against British broadcaster the BBC is at risk of being dismissed because required documents have not been submitted to the court.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that foreign media have reported this.

Florida judge Enjolique Lett expressed concern about how Trump’s legal team had gathered the documents and ordered relevant records to be submitted by November 23. The judge also directed the team to prepare by November 5 a list of materials withheld on grounds of privilege. The signed order states that failure to meet the court’s requirements could result in the lawsuit being dismissed in its entirety with prejudice.

Trump is seeking substantial damages from the BBC, alleging that editing in a 2024 edition of the “Panorama” documentary created the impression that he had encouraged the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

BBC officials have asked the court to intervene, saying Trump has avoided disclosing evidence and delayed the proceedings. Under the judge’s order, Trump must give sworn testimony by December 11. BBC lawyer Charles Tobin said a deposition scheduled for October 16 was cancelled by Trump so he could attend an election campaign event in Georgia.

After the documentary was broadcast, BBC Chair Samir Shah apologized for an editing error, and the controversy led to the resignation of the corporation’s director general, Tim Davie. The BBC has nevertheless asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed, arguing that the Florida court does not have jurisdiction over the case.