FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Influential online figures Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face human trafficking charges in Romania, have had their travel restrictions eased, allowing them to journey to the United States, as per official reports on Thursday.
The brothers, known for their staunch support of former President Donald Trump and their expansive online following, were previously restricted from traveling. Details regarding the conditions or specifics of their allowed departure from Romania remain undisclosed, as does their exact U.S. destination.
Background on the Tate Brothers
Andrew, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36, are both citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom. Andrew, a retired professional kickboxer, has garnered over 10 million followers on X, expressing contentious views on women. He also oversees an online academy aimed at teaching young men wealth acquisition and relationship tactics. Tristan shares a similar kickboxing background.
Legal Troubles in Romania
In late 2022, the Tate brothers, alongside two Romanian women, were detained by authorities in Bucharest. Prosecutors from the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism accused them of establishing a criminal enterprise in 2021 to perpetrate human trafficking across Romania, the United States, and the UK.
A formal indictment followed last year, and though the Bucharest Tribunal cleared the case for trial in April, no proceedings date was set. Subsequently, a December court decision in Bucharest halted the case progression due to alleged procedural and legal missteps attributed to prosecutors. The investigation is still ongoing, and the brothers face an additional legal matter in Romania.
Andrew Tate has continuously claimed innocence, arguing that Romanian prosecutors lack evidence and suggesting political motives behind the charges. Nevertheless, the allegations against them remain, noting crimes such as forming a criminal syndicate to exploit women sexually.
Reason for Lifting the Travel Ban
Romania’s DIICOT, the agency targeting organized crime, confirmed on Thursday that prosecutors had agreed to adjust the restriction preventing the Tates from leaving Romania, while judicial oversight remains. However, the origin of this request is unspecified. The continued oversight mandates their presence before judicial bodies upon summons, with a stern warning of harsher consequences should they breach these obligations.
The timing of their departure coincided with comments from Emil Hurezeanu, the Romanian foreign minister, regarding interest expressed by a U.S. official related to the current Trump administration concerning the brothers’ legal situation during the Munich Security Conference. The minister clarified that this was not an exertion of influence.
Florida Defamation Case
In West Palm Beach, Florida, a court hearing was scheduled concerning a defamation lawsuit initiated by the Tates against a woman who claimed they confined her in Romania. The Palm Beach County Circuit Court is considering a request by the accuser, known as Jane Doe, to postpone the defamation trial indefinitely, allowing the case in Romania to progress. The Tates’ legal team argues against the delay, citing that the ongoing Romanian process could span multiple years. This defamation suit was filed in July 2023.
