A federal judge temporarily blocked an order requiring President Donald Trump to release extensive financial details of his business empire to the BBC, buying Trump's legal team more time in a high-stakes defamation fight.
The ruling, issued Wednesday and made public Thursday, came hours before Trump faced a deadline to hand over the records. The BBC had sought the documents for its defense in Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the British broadcaster.
Federal Judge Altman issued the four-page order after finding merit in Trump's argument that his legal strategy had shifted. Trump contended he is now focused on damage to his personal reputation rather than harm to his brand and businesses—a change, he said, that could reduce the BBC's need for detailed financial records.
The documents at issue detail the finances and ownership of Trump's business empire, held by a trust established to manage his assets.
The halt is temporary. Trump is continuing to fight the disclosure entirely, arguing the records should not be produced.
Trump's $10 billion defamation claim stems from content the BBC published. The financial records are considered central to the BBC mounting a defense against his allegations.
The court will determine the scope of discovery in the coming weeks.
