Trump’s Tate intervention: ‘There is no figure too extreme, no politician too toxic’
Following pressure from Donald Trump’s administration, Andrew and Tristan Tate have had travel restrictions lifted, and have left Romania for the US. But why has it got involved, and what about the alleged female victims who have filed claims against the brothers?
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In brief…
- Andrew and Tristan Tate left Romania on a flight to Florida on 27 February 2025, after receiving the support of Trump’s administration over being grounded in Romania over serious sexual allegations.
- Journalist Matt Shea tells The News Agents that the alleged victims of the Tate Brothers do not factor into any consideration for Trump’s administration.
- Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall say there is “no one too toxic” to win support from the US president, so long as they are considered to be victims of the “woke” left.
What’s the story?
Human trafficking. Sexual misconduct. Money laundering. Organised crime.
These are the charges facing Andrew Tate, and his brother Tristan, in Romania, a man the Trump administration called to have travel restrictions lifted so they could return to the US.
Both men deny all charges against them.
Today, 27 February 2024, the pair have been permitted to leave the Eastern European country on a flight believed to be headed to Florida. It comes after pressure from the Trump administration, but Romanian officials have previously said there was no influence from the US on any decision made on the brother’s travel permits.
Lewis Goodall says Tate’s flight to the US is with the "aid and connivance of the Trump administration."
“Join the dots,” says Jon Sopel.
“It seems pretty obvious that what has changed the Romanians' position in all of this is the intervention of the Trump administration.”
So while Donald Trump works to remove certain people from America, he is at the same time welcoming self-proclaimed misogynists, who face serious criminal allegations, across its borders.
The brothers also face rape and human trafficking charges in the UK, and a separate investigation will take place when trial proceedings in Romania conclude.
In the days leading up to his flight to America, Tate has shared social media posts about "third world savages", how he doesn't "buy that time of the month crap", described the UK Labour Party as "evil", said the 2020 US election was stolen, and body-shamed Ariana Grande.
The solicitor representing four British women who have filed criminal complaints of rape and sexual assault against Andrew and Tristan Tate has described the lifting of travel restrictions, and lobbying from the US administration, as "disgusting and dismaying", but "perhaps unsurprising".
"Any suggestion that the Tates will now face justice in Romania is fanciful," says lawyer Matthew Jury.
"The UK authorities must take immediate steps to secure their extradition to the UK to face charges for the offences of human trafficking and rape they are alleged to have committed in this jurisdiction.
"Romania has embarrassed itself. The UK must not do the same."
Why is Trump’s administration supporting the Tate brothers?
Matt Shea, a journalist who has made several documentaries about the Tate brothers, tells The News Agents that there is an argument – endorsed by Tristan Tate – that the pair helped Trump secure a win in the 2024 election.
"Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate, by radicalising an entire generation of young men towards the far-right, could be credited with helping to get Donald Trump elected," he tells Jon and Lewis.
But, he adds, the White House support is more likely due to Trump's determination to eradicate what he considers "judicial activism".
"Judicial activism is essentially this idea that the court can be weaponised to go after people who don't agree with their so-called woke agenda," Shea says.
“It's a conspiracy theory, and that conspiracy theory has been promoted by Trump, the Trump administration, especially in the context of Tate."
Whatever the reason for the Trump administration throwing its weight behind the Tate brothers, the people who have been ignored entirely in this situation are the numerous women who have made serious claims against the pair.
"The ludicrousness of it all is that the Trump administration is not saying anything about the dozens of alleged victims of trafficking, of rape," Shea adds.
"Those alleged victims are not a part of the story for the Trump administration. The Trump administration is just saying: 'These guys are going against the woke agenda. They're being targeted by the judicial system in Romania. Let's help them out'."
He says questions now remain over whether the Tate brothers will return to Romania to face trial, and if Donald Trump will meet with, and publicly endorse, the men.
What’s The News Agents’ take?
The News Agents say that Trump sees Tate as a “fellow ideological traveller” in the culture war he intends to wage while he is in power.
But, they add, he also likes Tate’s muscles.
“The whole aesthetic of Tate is so much like the bros that Donald Trump loves – tight t-shirt, pumped full of steroids and protein shakes, tattoos showing, muscle bound,” says Jon.
“If you cheer for Donald Trump and you've got the right aesthetic, then Donald Trump is going to help you.”
But Lewis adds that the effort put into praising, and advocating for, Andrew Tate by the Trump administration could have been spent working for countless Americans across the world who are in similar legal situations.
“It shouldn't be normal that Trump, and the White House itself, is actively aiding a man like Tate,” Lewis says.
“Never mind the American political prisoners who are being detained by different regimes – of which there will be many – in different parts of the world.
“If you are supportive of Trump, for whatever reason, there is no figure too extreme. There is no politician or political figure too toxic. He will help you.”