The Trump administration has reportedly pushed Romanian officials to ease travel restrictions on Andrew and Tristan Tate. The brothers, accused of trafficking minors, engaging in sexual activity with a minor, and money laundering, remain under judicial control in Romania. They can move within the country but must adhere to legal conditions. Both deny any wrongdoing.
According to the Financial Times, U.S. officials raised their case during a recent call with Romania’s government. Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, later brought it up with Romania’s foreign minister at a Munich conference. Sources claim the U.S. requested the return of their passports, allowing them to travel while awaiting court proceedings.
Grenell has publicly backed the Tates, previously criticizing Romania on X as an example of how “USAID programs were weaponized against those not aligned with woke politics.” The Trump administration has long sought to weaken USAID, with Trump and Elon Musk claiming it operates counter to Trump’s agenda.
The Tate brothers, boasting a combined 14 million followers on X, frequently promote male superiority and dismiss feminism. Tristan Tate has even claimed their influence has shaped a right-wing shift among young men in the U.S. and Europe. Meanwhile, Andrew Tate insists he is the victim of a politically motivated attack, asserting that the charges against him were baseless.
Beyond Romania, the brothers face extradition to the U.K., where Bedfordshire Police have secured a European arrest warrant related to separate allegations of rape and human trafficking between 2012 and 2015. They strongly deny these claims. Additionally, a Florida woman recently filed a civil lawsuit accusing them of coercing her into sex work after luring her to Romania.
Earlier this month, a Romanian court lifted Andrew Tate’s house arrest after five months, though the legal battles continue.
