Federal Judge Denies BBC's Delay, Schedules Trump's $10B Defamation Lawsuit for Trial

The trial against the British broadcaster is set for February 2027 after the judge rejected the BBC's motion to stay the case.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A federal judge in Florida has rejected the BBC's request to delay the $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The judge has scheduled the trial to begin in February 2027, denying the BBC's motion for a stay. Trump sued the BBC over a misleading edit in a documentary that gave the impression he had called for violence before the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. The BBC apologized but denies defaming Trump, and plans to argue the documentary was fair despite the edit.

Why it matters

This case represents a high-profile clash between a former U.S. president and a major international news organization. The outcome could have significant implications for press freedom and the standards of reporting on political figures, especially in the aftermath of the divisive 2024 election cycle.

The details

The federal judge, Roy K. Altman, also denied the BBC's request to pause the discovery process in the case until the court rules on the broadcaster's upcoming motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The BBC will argue that its documentary was fair despite the misleading edit, and that Trump's suit fails to meet the high bar necessary for alleging defamation against a public figure, which requires a showing of 'actual malice'.

  • The trial is scheduled to begin in February 2027.
  • The judge's ruling denying the BBC's motion for a stay came on February 12, 2026.
  • The BBC's motion to dismiss the case is due in March 2026.

The players

Donald J. Trump

The former President of the United States who filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC.

BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation, a major international news organization that is the defendant in Trump's defamation lawsuit.

Judge Roy K. Altman

The federal judge presiding over the case in Miami, Florida, who denied the BBC's motion for a stay and scheduled the trial for February 2027.

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What they’re saying

“The trial date was set in an order Wednesday by US District Judge Roy K. Altman in Miami. The case will only go to trial if it survives the UK news outlet's upcoming motion to toss the case out.”

— Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

“It must mean they have nothing to say...”

— Jonathan Coad, Media Lawyer (GB News)

What’s next

The judge's ruling on the BBC's upcoming motion to dismiss the case is due in March 2026. If the case survives that motion, the $10 billion defamation trial between Trump and the BBC is scheduled to begin in February 2027.

The takeaway

This high-profile lawsuit between a former U.S. president and a major international news organization highlights the ongoing tensions between press freedom and the standards of reporting on public figures, especially in the aftermath of a divisive election cycle. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the relationship between the media and political leaders going forward.