In Tallahassee, Florida, a recent visit by social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, who faced charges of human trafficking in Romania, stirred up a mix of support and criticism within right-wing circles upon their return to Fort Lauderdale. Notably, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made it clear that the Tate brothers were unwelcome in the state, with the state attorney general, James Uthmeier, announcing a potential criminal investigation without specifying any allegations.
Andrew Tate later announced his departure from Florida, hinting at a future return, potentially halting any further investigation. However, the repercussions of DeSantis’ stance on the Tate brothers could have lasting effects on his political trajectory.
DeSantis’ decision to take a tough stance against the Tate brothers has created a divide within the MAGA movement, with some allies of former President Donald Trump disapproving of DeSantis for challenging Trump in the 2024 election. Trump himself has not publicly addressed the Tate brothers’ return or the Florida investigation, leaving DeSantis and Uthmeier at odds with segments of the political right debating the fairness of targeting the brothers, who hold dual U.S.-British citizenship, in the absence of criminal charges in Florida.
The ongoing conflict has brought renewed attention to the political landscape, with speculations and alliances emerging. The involvement of key figures such as Ric Grenell and Rep. Byron Donalds adds further complexity to the situation, highlighting the intricate web of relationships and ambitions at play in Florida politics.
“I never paid much attention to Florida politics until I discovered how communist the DeSantis administration is,” Tate stated in a post shared by Grenell. “Let the games begin.”
In recent days, supporters of DeSantis have urged Donalds to address the Tate controversy. On Wednesday, he finally spoke out, aligning himself with DeSantis and opposing the Tates.
“I believe these allegations must be thoroughly investigated, and we must proceed accordingly,” Donalds told CBC News. “The primary focus is that we cannot condone the exploitation or abuse of women. That is unacceptable.”
“If the attorney general determines that there are grounds under Florida law to investigate this matter, then I wish him success and stand by his decisions,” he added.
The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers, gained fame as leaders of the “manosphere” movement, which promotes anti-feminist ideologies. Despite their significant wealth and global following, their views have sparked controversy.
In 2017, Andrew Tate sparked outrage by suggesting that women share responsibility for sexual assault.
The office of Uthmeier, the attorney general appointed by DeSantis, confirmed that search warrants have been issued against the brothers as part of an ongoing investigation.
“These individuals have openly admitted to engaging in activities that appear to involve soliciting, trafficking, and victimizing women worldwide, including minors,” Uthmeier stated. “There is no place for such behavior in Florida.”
Uthmeier’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding the current status of the investigation following Andrew Tate’s departure from the state.
Andrew and Tristan Tate arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on February 27. Andrew Tate, the more outspoken of the brothers, utilized his online platform to defend himself against the Florida investigation, claiming he was unfairly targeted.
In a post, Tate likened DeSantis and Uthmeier to Lavrentiy Beria, a former Soviet secret police chief. Despite Tate’s claims, the Florida attorney general’s office has not confirmed any seizures of his electronic devices.
Their attorney, Joseph McBride, disclosed that the brothers plan to return to Romania for legal consultations, with intentions to later return to the U.S. They feel a sense of security in America, partly due to the Trump administration.
Andrew Tate did not disclose their travel plans in his online post, and McBride did not respond to requests for comment. The reasons behind Romania lifting travel restrictions on the Tate brothers following their arrests in 2022 remain unclear.
Romanian officials deny external influence, including from the Trump administration, while offering no definitive explanation for the decision. Justice Minister Radu Marinescu stated that no official requests from other countries have been received.
