Trouble for Trump as court calls for depositions to take place by year’s end

Former President Donald Trump will be deposed by the end of 2021 as part of a defamation case against him by a former contestant on his reality TV show.

Former "The Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos had accused Trump of kissing her against her will at Trump Tower in New York and later groping her in a California hotel. Zervos sued Trump for defamation in 2017 after he denied the allegations during the 2016 presidential campaign.

On Monday, a law clerk for New York State Judge Jennifer Schechter instructed lawyers for both Trump and Zervos to complete the factual discovery phase – including depositions -- by December 23, according to Insider.

"I do want to have an order entered and have the close of that discovery before Christmas," said law clerk Michael Rand.

Rand "said that there was no more reason for delay, now that a prior stay on the case has been lifted during Trump's post-presidency," reported Law & Crime. "Before Trump left office, the court had to accommodate the time demands involving a sitting president."

A trial date will be set for the early part of 2022.