Andrew and Tristan Tate must remain in custody in Miami as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom, where the brothers are accused of rape and sex trafficking, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday.
US Magistrate Lauren Louis denied a defense motion for release, meaning the Tates will remain jailed during a potentially lengthy extradition process that could take months.
Miami federal judge Louis stated in her ruling that the Tates “have failed to meet their burden to demonstrate that they do not present a risk of flight or danger to the community, or that special circumstances warrant their release. Respondents have failed to demonstrate that special circumstances here warrant relief, whether their proposed special circumstances are considered singly or together.
“Having failed to meet these three factors, Respondents’ Motion for Release Pending Extradition Proceedings is DENIED.”
The brothers’ legal team said in a statement that the decision to keep them in custody creates a legal contradiction. The Tates are being detained in the United States because of a British extradition request while simultaneously being required to defend themselves against charges in Romania, the statement said.
“They are now facing an extraordinary situation in which they are being held thousands of miles from Romania while Romanian proceedings continue, deadlines approach, an additional indictment is said to be imminent and their own Romanian lawyer says he cannot properly prepare,” the lawyers said.
“No serious person can pretend that this can be reviewed properly through occasional conversations from a federal detention center in another country.”
Andrew Tate, 39, and Tristan Tate, 38, who are dual US-British citizens, have become among the world’s most polarising internet personalities with their promotion of wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire. Prosecutors say the brothers are a flight risk because they appear to have money and have bragged about multiple passports.
During a hearing last month in Miami, the brothers denied criminal accusations spanning several countries, blasted their critics and described their brash online personas as characters and not their true personalities. The Tates said they exaggerate their claims of wealth to boost their clout on social media.
The new allegations are the latest in the Tates’ long-running international legal saga spanning the U.S., Britain and Romania. They have been held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami since making a brief court appearance two days after their July 18 arrest.
Lawyers for the Tates asked the judge to allow them to be freed from custody at least until an extradition hearing can be held on their UK rape and trafficking charges.
They have repeatedly argued that Britain’s request is out of line because their criminal case in Romania is going first. Romanian officials have let the brothers remain free until the proceedings conclude, and they have not tried to flee and are complying with all court restrictions. Earlier this month, Romanian prosecutors indicted the brothers on additional charges.
Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers, most of them boys and young men, on X. He has been banned from platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram for violating hate speech guidelines.
He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women. Tristan Tate is also a former kickboxer.
The brothers are avid supporters of US president Donald Trump.
