Tate brothers’ "billionaire" image was a clicks-driven performance, lawyers say

Lawyers for Andrew and Tristan Tate told a U.S. court that the brothers' ostentatious online persona — the flashy cars, private jets and $50 million superyacht they have boasted about — was a performance designed to attract clicks, not proof of ownership.

The Tates are currently detained in Florida and are asking to be released on bail while they await a decision in their extradition case. They were arrested last month after British prosecutors brought new charges, including allegations of sexual offences, which both brothers deny.

Defence: a business built on attention

In a filing submitted to the court, the brothers' lawyers argued that their entire business model "depends on internet attention." They explained that provocative and exaggerated posts are used to generate views and likes, which convert into revenue, and summarized their point: "The point is precisely the sensationalism of their posts and posts about them. The more exaggerated and implausible a post, the more likely it is to attract views and likes, which, in turn, generates revenue. In short, they play a role."

The defence also told the court that Andrew often uses hyperbole "for comedic effect," and that his statements are not always meant to be taken literally: "Andrew Tate sometimes exaggerates to make people laugh."

Prosecutors, however, say the brothers could flee, pointing to past statements by the Tates about their wealth and influence and to allegations that they maintain multiple identities. The filing notes prosecutors' arguments that the brothers portrayed themselves online as "self-styled billionaires" who possessed "luxury cars, private jets and a bespoke superyacht worth $50 million," and claimed to have unrestricted access to funds through traditional banking, cryptocurrencies and bitcoin. "But the government has not proven those grand claims to be true," the defence filing says.

Defence lawyers further stated that the superyacht mentioned in court papers was not owned by the brothers and that they were paid to promote it. The expensive cars shown in their videos — including Aston Martins and Bugattis — were rented, the lawyers said.

U.S. Marshals arrested the brothers in Miami last month after the Crown Prosecution Service filed 38 new charges against them, including rape and alleged offences related to human trafficking for sexual exploitation. They now face a total of 59 charges for alleged crimes said to have occurred between July 2010 and August 2017. Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, have previously denied any wrongdoing. The pair hold both British and American citizenship and spent part of their childhood in Luton. Andrew first came to public attention after appearing on the UK version of Big Brother in 2016 and has described himself as a misogynist; he built a large social media following by promoting an apparently ultra‑luxurious lifestyle. Reports have also said the accused collected passports under false names, including one linked to a James Bond villain.

Photo: EPA