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The Tate brothers have landed in the US after being held by Romanian authorities on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. If this leaves you wondering, “Why on Earth are they allowed to fly to the US?” you wouldn’t be the only one.
What was likely meant to be a hero’s welcome for the Tate brothers has received a mixed response. Many are crediting Trump’s administration with lifting the brothers’ travel ban. There are grounds for this: the brothers are vocal supporters of the former president, and Trump’s family appears to be vocal supporters of them. Trump Jr. even referred to their detention as “absolute insanity.” Is it surprising that these high-profile men—who have faced similar accusations—have become fast friends? Sadly, not at all.
The question many politicians and spectators alike are asking is: how could this have happened? How have two high-profile men facing such serious charges been allowed to travel so freely? The fear is that the Tate brothers’ return will only further contribute to the radicalisation of young men. Amid the growing number of executive orders issued by the Trump administration, the misogynistic rhetoric of the Tate brothers risks gaining even more traction in the social media sphere.
Their return during this new administration is also significant because of the alliance between Trump and tech billionaires. As such, it is not unreasonable to imagine that the Tate brothers will not face the same scrutiny they once did. The consequences of their hate speech have all but disappeared, and they are now free not just to travel but to continue influencing and radicalising young men online.
The Tate brothers’ rise to fame and notoriety is symptomatic of the broader rise of far-right conservative politics in the US and beyond. Their return to the US, despite the widespread condemnation it has received, will be viewed by their supporters as a victory. Much like Trump’s legal battles—framed by his base as a political “witch hunt”—this will be seen as yet another fight for “truth.” The brothers are by no means cleared of their charges, but they will likely treat this as cause for celebration.
The US, whether directly involved in their release or not, has made a clear statement in welcoming them back. And to its female citizens, the message is unmistakable—one that many felt was first sent when Trump took office. Now, it has been reinforced: sex crimes are not a dealbreaker.
Edited by Veronika Parfjonova
Image: Andrew Tate on the “Anything Goes With James English” Podcast by Anything Goes With James English, 2023 // CC BY 3.0
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