Judge allows Trump defamation case against BBC to proceed but tosses 1 claim

A Florida federal judge has allowed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed, without deciding whether the broadcaster is liable. The ruling keeps the case moving after the BBC sought its dismissal, but removes one part of Trump’s complaint.

Judge Jeffrey Kuntz dismissed Trump’s claim that the BBC violated Florida’s law on unfair business practices. The lawsuit concerns a documentary that joined excerpts from Trump’s 6 January 2021 speech, which the BBC acknowledged made it appear he was directly urging violence; the broadcaster apologised and denies defamation. A separate judge has ordered Trump to give a deposition by 11 December, while the BBC says it has not yet been able to question him.