Epstein files contain explicit but unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor

[Bluetus]

32. DISCOVERY

When a person files a defamation suit, the defense is entitled to a discovery process where everyone who has evidence (including Trump in this case, as well as friends of the victim, the FBI agents conducting the interviews, and Bondi who has been obstructing) must submit to a deposition under penalty of perjury.

In my experience (I am not a lawyer but have been through a few depositions) the deposition process is less regimented than the actual trial in court. This is because, even if something is said in deposition, that does not mean it can be used as evidence at trial. So the questions can be broad and far-reaching. There can be objections, but that doesn't usually happen too much. Mainly a lawyer might advise their client not to answer a particular question.

However, it the plaintiff refuses to answer proper questions, the defense can take that back to the court and ask the judge to compel cooperation or dismiss the suit. There is no way Trump would ever go down this path, because he is guilty as hell, and it would quickly become obvious.