On Thursday, Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, notorious figures in the online “manosphere,” took a private jet from Romania, where they’ve been residing for several years, to Florida. It’s truly unsettling and embarrassing that such individuals are welcomed in the United States so readily. This situation also highlights a troubling divide within American conservatism that needs careful attention and resolution if the political right hopes to maintain its influence.
Back in 2023, Romanian authorities slapped the Tate brothers with serious charges like human trafficking, sexual abuse, and money laundering, in addition to forming an organized crime group to exploit women. Andrew Tate also faced rape charges and accusations of sexual misconduct in the UK. Despite claiming to embrace Islam and defending controversial acts, he promotes the notion of unchecked masculinity, advocating that men should father as many children as possible, while denying all allegations against him. Their move to Florida was made possible when Romanian authorities unexpectedly lifted their travel restrictions, which was surprising considering the efforts and resources Romania invested into their case without concluding the prosecution.
In a post on X some weeks ago, Andrew Tate declared, “The Tates will be free, Trump is the president. The good old days are back. And they will be better than ever. Hold on.” Meanwhile, Associated Press reported that Romania’s foreign minister noted, at a meeting in Munich, there was expressed interest in the brothers’ case from a Trump administration official. While speculative, this timing and interest suggest possible influence from the administration.
Key people connected to Trump have shown admiration for Andrew Tate. Alina Habba, a former Trump attorney currently serving as a White House advisor, enthusiastically praised him during a podcast with Benny Johnson, exclaiming, “I’m a big fan!” Even Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News personality who has taken a more anti-Western stance, traveled to Romania in 2023 for an exclusive interview with Tate during his house arrest, offering a sympathetic ear.
The crux of the issue with some conservatives supporting Andrew Tate is that he has consistently revealed his questionable character through his own words and actions over the years. There’s no need to wait for his legal battles to conclude; his behavior speaks volumes. Any political group rooted in the ethical and moral traditions of the Judeo-Christian values that form the backbone of American conservatism should steer clear of embracing or defending someone with his track record.
Tate openly describes himself as a misogynist and brags about his exploits as a pimp, even marketing an online course for recruitment. He tells his predominantly male audience to view women merely as sexual objects. In one podcast, he recounted an incident where he assaulted a woman, breaking her jaw, and boasted about facing no consequences.
How any political group that prides itself on “family values” can rally behind such a figure is beyond comprehension.
Adding to the controversy, Tate has lauded radical jihadist acts, and after a tragic event in 2023, posted on X, praising the perpetrators and expressing admiration for their actions. A dual citizen of the UK and US, he has even advocated for a future Islamic state in Britain, something that starkly conflicts with the values of those he claims to support.
Despite these controversies, the current Trump administration has taken clear stands in support of women’s dignity, including issuing orders affecting prison policies, upheld alliances with Israel, especially against Hamas, and resumed stern measures against radical Islamist threats, exemplified by reviving the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group.
So, why might there be any closeness with the Tate brothers?
Recently, there has been a resurgence of neo-Nietzschean ideas within certain factions of what is nominally called the “right.” Figures like Andrew Tate and the pseudonymous “Bronze Age Pervert” promote a pagan worldview fundamentally opposed to the conservative legacy rooted in biblical teachings. If conservation is to mean anything, it should mean protecting the Judeo-Christian values that have shaped Western civilization. However, these voices derogate such principles, advocating divisive ideologies of grandeur over shared human dignity, which the right must firmly reject.
This kind of rhetoric is not only distasteful but unpopular as well. It wouldn’t be a prudent political move for the Trump administration to appear supportive of them.
If any administration members were involved in lobbying for the Tates in Romania or taking any similar actions, they should face the appropriate consequences. Anyone promoting the Tates should be distanced from movements aligned with conservative ideologies. It’s time for them to be shown the door.
Josh Hammer, who serves as senior editor-at-large for Newsweek, collaborated with Creators Syndicate on this piece. You can find him on social media @josh_hammer.
