Trump warned $10bn BBC lawsuit could be dismissed over missing documents

Donald Trump's $10bn (£7.5bn) defamation lawsuit against the BBC could be dismissed unless he turns over documents requested by the broadcaster, a US court has warned. 

Mr Trump is seeking damages over the editing of a Panorama documentary concerning the US Capitol riots, which aired in 2024.

However, a court in Miami has this week ordered the US president to produce the relevant documents by 23 November or risk the case being thrown out.

US Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett said that "failure to comply with this order could result in sanctions, including but not limited to, dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute this case".

Judge Lett also said that, in the absence of a register identifying any documents which had been withheld due to claims of privilege, Mr Trump must compile a list by 5 November.

In her ruling, the judge voiced concerns over whether "an adequate search for all responsive documentation" by Mr Trump's legal team took place.

The BBC has accused Mr Trump of flouting the rules by failing to disclose documents as part of the case.

Lawyers for the corporation asked the court to intervene, arguing it would "experience extreme prejudice" if the president "continues to disregard his discovery obligations".

They said the ongoing delay related to documents "that are not in dispute" and which Mr Trump had previously agreed to disclose.

Mr Trump has previously tried to block the release of his financial records as he sought to change his complaint and limit disclosure. However, this appeared to be a separate matter as the production of these papers was contested.

Last week, Judge Lett ordered the president to sit for deposition by 11 December after he cancelled an agreed date of 16 October, citing "matters of national importance".

The BBC has argued Mr Trump is attempting to delay his appearance until January next year.

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'Error of judgement'

Trump: A Second Chance? was broadcast by the BBC days before the 2024 US presidential election.

The programme spliced together two sections of the president's speech into what appeared to be one quote.

Mr Trump's lawyers say the programme falsely portrayed the president as a "violent insurrectionist", caused "massive economic damage to his brand value" and was a "brazen attempt" to interfere in the US election.

The allegations led to the then-BBC director-general Tim Davie announcing his resignation.

Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, apologised on behalf of the broadcaster over what he called an "error of judgment" and accepted the editing of the programme gave "the impression of a direct call for violent action".

However, the BBC is seeking to have the case dismissed, warning of the "chilling effect" it would have on "robust reporting on public figures and events".

The corporation has also challenged the jurisdiction of a Florida court to hear the case given the programme was never aired in the US.

(c) Sky News 2026: Trump warned $10bn BBC lawsuit could be dismissed over missing documents