But their huge fanbase seems to include Trump’s inner circle
Andrew Tate has spent the last fortnight rubbing shoulders with the Maga manosphere after it was claimed Donald Trump helped him flee Romania.
So what? Whether or not Trump had a direct hand in Tate travelling to the US, his arrival on American soil has
- amplified his misogynistic messaging and claims of innocence, in spite of documented evidence that allegedly shows he has seriously abused and harassed women; and
- could deny more than 40 alleged victims due process and justice across multiple jurisdictions.
On 27 February, the Tate brothers travelled by private jet from Bucharest to Florida after Romanian prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban. Although prosecutors said the Tates will have to return to Romania – where they face charges of rape, trafficking minors and money laundering – it’s believed the Trump administration pressured authorities to lift the ban.
Maga minded. Since arriving in Florida, the brothers have wasted no time in tapping into the world of Trump.
- While in Miami, Tate bragged on the Maga-friendly Full Send podcast that he “would be in jail right now” if Trump hadn’t won.
- Tate was pictured smoking cigars with Roger Stone, a long-time friend of Trump, who then posted a message of support for the brothers, claiming they were innocent.
- Last Friday, Dana White – UFC chief, Meta board member and friend of Trump – was filmed welcoming the Tate brothers to the US at his ‘Power Slap’ event in Las Vegas.
- The next evening, the Tates were given VIP access to White’s UFC competition.
Also spotted ringside: Kash Patel, the Trump-appointed FBI director; Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta; Mel Gibson, actor and high-profile Trump supporter; and Richard Grenell, the special envoy who is reported to have pressured Romania to lift the brother’s travel ban.
Although Trump claims he knows “nothing about” the Tates coming to the US, the brothers’ US lawyer, Joseph McBride, told reporters: “Do the math. These guys are on the plane.”
The Tate matrix. There are multiple live criminal investigations and civil suits against the brothers accusing them of human trafficking, rape, sex with minors, money laundering and tax fraud.
Romania. Although an initial investigation into the brothers failed to go to trial last year due to “legal and procedural irregularities”, a separate investigation into allegations of human trafficking of minors and sex with a minor is ongoing.
Florida. Last week, Florida’s attorney general initiated a criminal investigation of the Tates and they face accusations of human trafficking by a US woman in defamation proceedings they initiated in 2023. Dani Pinter, who is representing the woman, told Tortoise the brothers’ travelling to Florida “felt like intimidation” of her client.
UK. Last year, Bedfordshire Police secured a warrant to extradite Andrew Tate to face charges of rape and human trafficking after the Romanian proceedings in the UK. Four women have filed a separate civil suit in the High Court against Tate, accusing him of rape and coercive control.
Matthew Jury, who represents the four women, said they were “ absolutely distraught” to hear Tate had gone to America and are calling on Keir Starmer to urgently extradite him to the UK.
The Tates unequivocally say they are innocent of all charges levelled against them, telling reporters on arrival in Fort Lauderdale they were “largely misunderstood”.
What’s more… Asked if the UK Home Office would be seeking Tate’s extradition, a spokesperson said as a matter of standard policy it would “neither confirm nor deny that an extradition request has been made or received”.
Photo credit: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images
