Trump sued the BBC in a Florida court, accusing it of defaming him in a Panorama programme that edited together two separate parts of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, before the riot at the US Capitol.
He alleges that the excerpts were deliberately combined in a way that made it appear as though he was encouraging his supporters to engage in violence.
The BBC acknowledged that it had edited together separate portions of the speech but denied that it had defamed Trump.
Judge Enjoliqué Lett issued the order after BBC lawyers said they had been unable to question Trump, who cancelled a deposition scheduled for October 16, citing important national responsibilities.
Under US law, this type of questioning is known as a deposition. A party to a lawsuit or a witness answers questions from lawyers under oath, and the responses are recorded for potential use in the legal proceedings.
Depositions take place during the discovery phase, when both sides gather and exchange evidence before the trial itself.
The judge warned that Trump could face penalties if he fails to comply with the order. These could include dismissal of his lawsuit, unless the discovery period is extended.
The order does not mean Trump has won or lost the case. The $10 billion is the amount he is seeking in damages, not money the court has ordered the BBC to pay him.
