Shackled Tate brothers testify in bid to get out of jail, but judge
delays decision
[August 28, 2026]
By DAVID FISCHER
MIAMI (AP) — Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate took the
witness stand in federal court on Thursday and said they can’t
adequately defend themselves from criminal sex charges if they have to
remain in a Miami jail while fighting extradition to the United Kingdom.
During nearly two hours in a Miami courtroom, the Tates, in shackles and
tan jail jumpsuits, denied under oath criminal accusations across
multiple countries, blasted their critics and described their brash
online personas that exude wealth and excess as characters and not their
true personalities.
The hearing ended after eight hours without a decision from U.S.
Magistrate Lauren Louis, and the brothers headed back to jail.
Prosecutors said the Tates are liars who exaggerate all the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Abbie Waxman told a judge that Andrew Tate is
accused of choking and holding victims and raping them while Tristan
Tate is accused of human trafficking, money laundering and violence
against minors.
The brothers also face sex crime charges in Romania and prosecutors said
they have contacted witnesses in that case and talked about it on video.
“They promote incredible violence against women consistent with the
allegations against them,” Waxman said.
Andrew Tate maintains his innocence on stand
Andrew Tate said he is innocent, can't work with his Romanian lawyers
while in jail in America and fears his absence will mean an unfair life
sentence in Eastern Europe.
“If I lose a fair fight I can take it,” he said.
Lawyers for the Tates are asking Louis to allow them to be freed from
custody at least until an extradition hearing can be held on their U.K.
rape and trafficking charges. They have remained in a federal detention
center in Miami since they were arrested July 18.
Their attorneys argued that their high profile and active social media
presence make it nearly impossible for them to flee.
Their lawyers spent more than an hour mostly repeating arguments from
court filings that the U.K.’s request was out of line because their
criminal case in Romania is going first.
Romanian officials have let them remain free until the proceedings
conclude and they have not tried to flee and are complying with all
court restrictions.
The judge reminded defense attorneys that she has to follow U.S. laws,
but she did ask them to report to her by Monday on what happens if the
Tates miss a hearing in Romania.
No date for an extradition hearing has been set. The U.K. has until
mid-September to provide evidence to the State Department.
Prosecutors say Tates bragged about wealth and multiple passports
Prosecutors said the brothers appear to have money and have bragged
about multiple passports.
The Tates said their claims of wealth are largely exaggerated to boost
their social media personas. They said luxury items like the $50 million
yacht or $2.1 million Aston Martin car seen in their videos don’t belong
to them.
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Attorney Joseph McBride, who represents Andrew and Tristan Tate as
they fight extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of rape and
sex trafficking, center, greets supporters of the Tate brothers
after a bond hearing at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse,
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
But prosecutors showed a passport for “Vladimir Scorpius” from
Mexico with Tristan Tate’s date of birth and photo. They said it has
a real Mexican identification number. They also told the judge the
brothers have shown no evidence the luxury boat or cars were rented
or borrowed.
Tates have long been polarizing online
The Tates have become among the world’s most polarizing internet
personalities by promoting wealth, male dominance and misogyny
through their social media empire.
Andrew Tate, 39, has said women who are sexually assaulted should
bear some responsibility for the attacks and shared graphic
descriptions of how he might attack women. Tristan Tate, 38, has
worked with his brother on multiple businesses, including the
production of online webcam pornography.
On his way into court Thursday, defense attorney Joseph McBride told
reporters he hasn’t heard of a case where the judge has allowed
someone out on bail while awaiting an extradition hearing.
But while the odds aren’t in their favor, McBride felt like the
truth was. He called them innocent, good men who have never run from
the law.
Brothers testify they are taken out of context
In court, Tristan Tate was called to the stand Thursday and said he
can't prove he is innocent if he is kept in jail.
“I need to clear my name. I need to take part in these proceedings,
I can’t do that from the secure housing unit,” he said.
Both brothers also complained of conditions at the Miami jail.
Tristan Tate said there are ants and the only toilet in his cell is
where anyone walking by can see him. He said he has lost 14 pounds
(6.4 kilograms) eating mostly junk food in the nearly six weeks he
has been in custody.
Prosecutors said prisoners are fed three balanced meals a day. They
do not have access to scales, and medical records show the brothers
have gained a few pounds.
Andrew Tate testified that people are confusing him with a character
he plays online. He said people who accuse him of attacking women or
supporting human trafficking are taking his comments out of context.
“On the internet, you have to shake people out of apathy,” he said.
The former professional kickboxers, who have dual U.S. and U.K.
citizenship, have millions of social media followers and are vocal
supporters of President Donald Trump. The White House has said the
brothers shouldn’t expect any help from the president.
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