A federal judge has allowed Trump's $10 billion defamation case against the BBC to proceed. Trump celebrated a huge victory. The prize is more litigation, which is an unusual thing to win but does come in his size.

The case concerns a Panorama documentary's edit of his January 6 speech. The BBC apologized for the editing while denying there is a basis for defamation. Trump alleges the edit deliberately misled viewers. Judge Jeffrey Kuntz's Tuesday ruling leaves proof of the claims and any damages for later.

Later. The court has not awarded him ten billion dollars. It has allowed him to continue asking.

This is the difference between winning the lottery and being told your ticket is legible. Feel free to celebrate the excellent penmanship. Perhaps don't buy an island yet.

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The BBC's mistake matters. An apology for an edit, however, isn't a signed confession to every allegation attached to the president's preferred invoice. The broadcaster says it remains confident in its legal position.

And now the lawsuit continues. Including, inconveniently, the part where the plaintiff answers questions.

As we noted in the earlier deposition dispute, Trump has sought to postpone that appearance. CBS reports that an October order requires him to sit for a deposition by December 11, unless the discovery period is extended; he has offered January availability.

So the great victory keeps alive a case that includes a court-imposed appointment he would rather move.

Who designed this terrible system? You demand ten billion dollars, they let you pursue it, and suddenly everyone expects you to participate. The service at this courthouse is fucking appalling.

Congratulations on getting to the next stage. The next stage has questions.