Andrew Tate and brother leave Romania for US after travel ban lifted
Guardian6 days ago
Tate Brothers Leave Romania for US Amid Legal Controversy
Above:Â Andrew Tate (L) and his brother Tristan Tate (2nd L) are pictured inside The Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 10, 2024. Â Image copyright:Â Daniel MIHAILESCU/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36, departed Romania on a private jet early Thursday morning and landed in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., around 11:00 am local time after Romanian prosecutors lifted their travel ban.
The brothers, who are dual US-UK citizens, face multiple charges in Romania, including human trafficking across the US and Romania, rape, forming a criminal organization, and sexually exploiting women, all of which they have denied.
Romanian prosecutors stressed that while travel restrictions were lifted, the brothers must maintain regular contact with authorities and return for court proceedings. An attorney for the brothers, Joseph McBride, said they plan to return to Romania in late March.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Tate Brothers represent a growing, albeit fringe, right-wing movement that teaches young boys to pursue power by any means, including abusing women. Their philosophy has been condemned by both the left and the right, which is why Gov. DeSantis took a strong stance against their presence in his state. As the leader of both the American right and the country as a whole, Trump should steer clear of them and allow for their return to Romania.
Narrative B
While the Tates certainly carry a lot of negative baggage, they are American citizens who, like any other citizen, are innocent until proven guilty. There is, of course, no need for a sitting president to become close to them, but that doesn't mean all of they shouldn't be free to voice their opinions.