Controversial social media influencers Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, have told a United States federal court that claims made online about possessing multiple passports, including a Nigerian passport, were part of an exaggerated social media persona rather than evidence that they could flee prosecution.
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The argument forms part of the brothers’ attempt to secure release from federal custody in Miami while they fight extradition to the United Kingdom, where prosecutors have brought dozens of criminal charges against them.
Andrew and Tristan, who hold British and American citizenship, were arrested in Miami on July 18 following an extradition request from British authorities.
They have remained in federal detention as their lawyers press for bail, while prosecutors maintain that they pose a significant flight risk.
One of the issues raised against the brothers is Andrew Tate’s previous online claim that he possessed passports from several countries, including Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Poland, and could move between countries if legal trouble arose.
However, in court filings seeking their release, the brothers’ lawyers argued that the statements should not be treated literally.
According to the defence, videos in which Andrew claimed to possess passports from several countries were jokes designed to strengthen the provocative online character through which he attracted views, followers and revenue.
“The videos in which Andrew claimed to possess passports from Estonia, Nigeria, Poland, the UK, U.S., was a joke complete with Andrew portraying a false Nigerian accent,” the lawyers were quoted as telling the court.
The defence is attempting to persuade the court that Andrew’s public statements about passports and the brothers’ apparent vast wealth should not be considered reliable evidence that they possess the resources or documentation necessary to escape the United States.
Their lawyers made similar arguments concerning a purported Mexican passport bearing the name “Vladimir Scorpius”, which prosecutors had cited in raising concerns about multiple identities.
The defence maintained that the document associated with Tristan was merely a cardboard prop used as part of a Halloween costume.
The lawyers have also sought to undermine prosecutors’ reliance on the brothers’ highly publicised displays of luxury vehicles, yachts, cryptocurrency and apparent enormous wealth.
They told the court that some expensive vehicles shown in social media content were rented rather than owned by the brothers.
The defence cited, among other examples, an Aston Martin valued at about $2.1 million and Bugatti vehicles purportedly worth millions of dollars, arguing that the cars had been hired for content.
The lawyers said the brothers deliberately cultivated an image of being extremely wealthy because attention generated through sensational content translated into followers and income.
Their position is that much of the material prosecutors are relying upon to establish their alleged capacity to flee represents social media performance rather than an accurate picture of their finances and assets.
The defence reportedly told the court that the more extravagant or provocative a post appeared, the greater the likelihood that it would attract views and engagement.
The argument represents an unusual reversal for Andrew Tate, whose online brand has for years been built substantially around claims of extraordinary wealth, international mobility and independence from conventional authorities.
Prosecutors, however, remain concerned about the possibility of flight.
They have pointed to past social media statements in which Andrew allegedly suggested that he could travel under different identities and relocate to another country if circumstances turned against him.
The defence has proposed conditions including surrendering passports and electronic location monitoring if the brothers are released.
Their lawyers have also argued that the Tates’ international fame would make it extremely difficult for either brother to travel secretly or remain undetected.
The extradition proceedings arise from criminal charges brought by prosecutors in the United Kingdom.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced in July that additional charges had been authorised against both brothers following further evidence involving additional alleged victims.
Andrew Tate faces new allegations including seven counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Those allegations are in addition to earlier charges against him involving alleged rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.
Tristan Tate faces additional allegations including rape, sexual assault and arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, alongside previously authorised charges.
The allegations relate to events said to have occurred between 2010 and 2017.
Taken together, British prosecutors say the two brothers face 59 charges involving seven alleged victims.
Both men have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
They are also involved in separate legal proceedings in Romania, while Andrew Tate faces civil proceedings in England brought by women who have made allegations of sexual violence against him.
The United States proceedings currently concern whether the legal requirements for their extradition to Britain are satisfied and whether they should remain detained while that process continues.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis had initially scheduled a hearing on their continued detention for August 13 but granted a defence request to postpone it until August 27, giving the brothers’ lawyers additional time to respond to arguments opposing their release.
Consequently, the court has not yet finally determined whether Andrew and Tristan Tate will be granted bail pending the extradition proceedings.
The brothers remain presumed innocent of the criminal allegations unless and until proven guilty before a competent court.
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