Hakim Peringatkan Gugatan Trump Senilai $10 Miliar terhadap BBC Bisa Dibatalkan Jika Ia Tidak Bekerja Sama

XOHEI · 2026-10-23T06:09:19.000Z

Presiden Donald Trump diperintahkan untuk menjalani deposisi dalam gugatan pencemaran nama baik senilai $10 miliar yang diajukannya terhadap BBC, setelah seorang hakim federal memperingatkan bahwa kasus tersebut dapat dibatalkan jika ia tidak memenuhi kewajiban hukumnya. Hakim Magistrat Enjoliqué Aytch Lett menyampaikan peringatan itu dalam sidang pada Kamis, seraya menyatakan keraguan apakah tim hukum Trump telah melakukan pencarian menyeluruh atas dokumen yang diminta BBC. Hakim memerintahkan Trump untuk menjalani deposisi paling lambat 11 Desember, meski tanggal tersebut dapat ditunda. Ia juga menolak permintaan Trump untuk mencegah deposisi itu direkam dalam video, dengan memutuskan bahwa akses ke rekaman tersebut akan dibatasi hanya bagi para pengacara yang terlibat dalam kasus ini.

President Donald Trump has been ordered to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, as a federal judge warned that the case could be dismissed if he fails to meet his legal obligations.
Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Aytch Lett issued the warning during a hearing on Thursday, expressing doubts about whether Trump’s legal team had conducted a thorough search for documents requested by the BBC.
The judge ordered Trump to appear for a deposition by December 11, although the date could be delayed. She also rejected his request to prevent the deposition from being videotaped, ruling that access to the recording would be limited to attorneys involved in the case.
Why Trump Is Suing the BBC
Trump filed the $10 billion lawsuit in December 2025 over a BBC documentary about his political comeback that aired before the 2024 US presidential election.
The lawsuit alleges that the documentary defamed him by editing together two separate portions of his January 6, 2021, speech. One section included Trump telling supporters to walk to the Capitol, while another featured his statement that they should “fight like hell.”
Trump argues that the editing created a misleading impression of his remarks.
Dispute Over Trump’s Deposition
The latest dispute arose after Trump’s lawyers abruptly canceled a planned deposition, citing matters of national importance.
BBC attorneys argued that Trump had prioritized political activities over his obligations to the court, pointing to his campaign appearance in Georgia and fundraising activities at Mar-a-Lago that day.
Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, rejected that characterization, telling the judge that it was unfair to suggest those were the only matters occupying the president’s time.
The judge emphasized that participating in legal discovery is a responsibility that comes with filing a lawsuit.
BBC Seeks Mar-a-Lago Membership Records
The court also backed the BBC’s effort to obtain membership records from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
The broadcaster wants membership numbers and dues information covering a six-year period to assess Trump’s claims that the documentary damaged his professional reputation.
Although Trump amended his lawsuit in August to focus on alleged harm to his personal reputation rather than his businesses, the judge concluded that Mar-a-Lago’s popularity could still be relevant to evaluating his claims.
The BBC has also issued at least 47 subpoenas to current and former government officials and private advisers connected to Trump, including Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, former Attorney General Bill Barr and former White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
What Happens Next?
The judge is expected to issue written rulings on several objections raised by Trump’s legal team concerning requested documents and deposition questions.
She also deferred a decision on whether former special counsel Jack Smith can be deposed, requiring the parties to first seek approval from the Justice Department.
The court’s current discovery deadline is December 18. Any delay beyond that would require action by the district judge overseeing the case.
For now, the dispute highlights the legal risks that can accompany high-profile lawsuits. Trump’s case against the BBC could face serious consequences if he fails to comply with the court’s discovery requirements.