US President Donald Trump’s lawyers sought a federal judge’s stay of discovery process in May over his $10-billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The dispute stems from the network’s use of parts of Trump’s January 6 speech to falsely imply he directed supporters to storm the US Capitol.
Trump’s legal team argued that Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett’s prior representation of a client adverse to Trump creates an appearance of impropriety. They requested only a brief stay until the reassignment request was decided, with no immediate ruling expected.
The BBC and White House declined comment on the matter. Trump’s lawsuit, filed in Florida in December, alleges the broadcaster violated state law against deceptive trade practices. He seeks damages of at least $5 billion each for its two counts.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team told the Financial Times that the BBC defamed him by distorting and manipulating his speech. The broadcaster has subpoenaed the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, managed by Trump’s eldest son, to ascertain financial impact but seeks the lawsuit’s dismissal.
The documentary in question was broadcast in 2024 before Trump’s re-election, which the broadcaster argued showed the alleged defamation did not harm his reputation.