A federal judge on Thursday dealt an early blow to the BBC’s legal strategy in President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit, refusing the broadcaster’s request to pause discovery and clearing the way for both sides to begin exchanging evidence.
U.S. District Judge Roy Altman ruled that the BBC’s bid to halt the evidence-gathering process was “premature” and said the network had failed to show it would be unfairly harmed if discovery moved forward. In a separate order, the court scheduled a two-week trial date for February 2027.
The decision represents a significant procedural win for Trump, who has argued that the publicly funded British broadcaster knowingly pushed a misleading narrative about January 6 in an effort to damage him politically.
Trump is suing over edited footage aired in an October 2024 episode of the BBC’s Panorama documentary series. The clips, first reported by The Telegraph in November, allegedly spliced together two separate Trump statements in a way that his legal team says created the “mistaken impression” that he directed supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol.
Trump’s attorneys argue the editing was not a simple mistake, but part of a broader media pattern that Republicans have long criticized: selectively framing Trump and his supporters as violent extremists while downplaying evidence that Trump repeatedly urged peaceful protest.
The president’s lawsuit seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation, along with another $5 billion for alleged violations of trade practices.
The case has already caused turmoil inside the BBC. The fallout reportedly triggered resignations among senior leadership, including director general Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness.
BBC Chair Samir Shah apologized for an “error of judgment,” but insisted there is “no basis for a defamation case” and said the corporation is “determined to fight this.”
Judge Altman’s ruling means the BBC will now be required to turn over internal communications, production materials, and editorial decision-making documents — evidence that could prove critical in determining whether the broadcaster acted negligently or with actual malice.
