Donald Trump is contesting a recent request from the BBC for a federal discovery hearing, suggesting that the broadcaster is acting prematurely while both parties are still in negotiations.

In a legal filing submitted on Wednesday, Trump’s legal team accused the BBC of being unnecessarily aggressive, claiming that the two sides have yet to fully address their outstanding discovery issues.

Trump’s lawyers argued that the BBC’s motion should be dismissed, asserting that there is no need for a court hearing at this juncture. They emphasized that further discussions are still ongoing.

The dispute centers around a previous court directive that mandated both parties to meet and confer in good faith about discovery matters before seeking judicial intervention.

According to documentation, the two sides engaged in a telephone conference on August 21, during which they addressed various requests from the BBC regarding interrogatories, admissions, and documents.

Although some agreements were reached, there remained several impasses that needed resolution. Trump’s team indicated they would formulate a detailed written response after consulting with their client.

However, on August 24, the BBC submitted a proposed joint motion and set a rapid deadline for Trump to contribute his portion, ultimately filing unilaterally before Trump’s team could finalize their response.

Pursuing this unilateral action, Trump’s lawyers expressed frustration, considering it a breach of the collaborative spirit intended by the court’s order.

They contended that rather than stalling, their client was simply taking time to formulate a thorough written position following the August meeting.

Trump’s legal team reiterated that he has already agreed to address numerous requests made by the BBC, while the BBC has also conceded on several points, suggesting that remaining disputes could be consolidated into a single joint motion.

Moreover, Trump’s lawyers criticized the BBC for creating what they described as an arbitrary deadline, arguing that the BBC’s insistence on a quick resolution was unwarranted.

The lawyers took particular issue with the extensive information the BBC seeks regarding Trump’s financial affairs, properties, and business operations, labeling it as irrelevant to the core claims of the lawsuit.

The defamation lawsuit, which is valued at a staggering $10 billion, stems from accusations that the BBC misrepresented Trump’s remarks during his January 6, 2021, speech.

Despite the BBC’s apology for the editing error, the broadcaster maintains that it did not defame Trump and is pursuing significant discovery to prepare its defense.

In their filing, Trump’s lawyers insisted that the BBC’s broader discovery requests are extraneous, as their amended lawsuit focuses on reputational harm rather than any damage to his business ventures.

The current standoff illustrates the tensions between Trump and the BBC as they navigate the legal complexities of this case, with Trump’s team seeking to avoid courtroom involvement.

As it stands, Trump is urging a federal judge to allow both parties more time to resolve their disagreements without dragging them into court, asserting it would better serve the interests of justice.

The judge now faces a pivotal decision on whether to enforce the BBC’s request for judicial intervention or allow further negotiations to unfold.

This legal showdown reflects not only Trump’s ongoing battle with the media but also the escalating scrutiny over freedom of speech and the responsibilities of news organizations.