A federal judge has temporarily halted an order requiring President Donald Trump to turn over financial information about his businesses to the BBC, pausing the discovery process while the court considers Trump’s request to revise and narrow key portions of his defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster.

U.S. District Judge Roy Altman ruled that the BBC must wait for access to Trump’s financial records until he decides whether to allow the president to amend his complaint over a 2024 documentary broadcast in the United Kingdom. The judge’s order effectively freezes the disclosure requirement while that issue is under review.

The dispute is being closely watched as it could help determine the legal risks associated with the series of high-profile, multibillion-dollar lawsuits Trump has filed against media organizations he alleges have defamed him.

In a four-page order dated Wednesday and released publicly Thursday, Altman said Trump’s argument had merit that eliminating claims involving damage to his business interests and brand—while proceeding solely on alleged harm to his personal reputation—could significantly reduce the BBC’s need to examine his financial records.

“This is a compelling argument,” wrote Altman, a Miami-based Trump appointee.

Attorneys representing the BBC countered that Trump’s business finances remain relevant because his public reputation is inseparable from his success as a businessman. They argued that the value of his companies could still play an important role in evaluating his claims.

The network’s lawyers also pointed out that Trump’s proposed amended complaint, which has not yet been made public, continues to seek $10 billion in damages. They contend that such a large demand would be difficult to support if the lawsuit is based only on alleged reputational harm.

Trump filed the lawsuit last December after the BBC aired its 2024 documentary, “Trump: A Second Chance.” According to the complaint, the program defamed him by editing together portions of his Jan. 6, 2021 speech in a way that, Trump alleges, falsely suggested he encouraged supporters to commit violence at the U.S. Capitol.

While the BBC has acknowledged and apologized for the editing, it maintains that any misleading impression was inadvertent and does not amount to actionable defamation. The broadcaster has also asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing, among other things, that the federal court in South Florida lacks jurisdiction over the London-based network.

Should Judge Altman approve Trump’s request to revise the complaint, the litigation could be pushed back by several weeks or even months. Such a ruling would allow the BBC to renew its effort to have the amended lawsuit dismissed, while giving Trump’s legal team an opportunity to respond before the case proceeds further.

{Matzav.com}