Andrew Tate attempted to use his controversial online persona as a defence during a Miami courtroom battle against extradition to the UK, telling a judge that his most provocative statements were part of an invented character.
The social media influencer gave evidence alongside his brother, Tristan, at a hearing on August 27 as they sought release from custody while fighting allegations including rape and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Asked about the aggressive and misogynistic material associated with his online image, Tristan Tate said: “I play a character.” He also claimed that people did not take Andrew’s “Top G” persona seriously.
The brothers’ lawyer, Joseph McBride, described their decision to testify as highly unusual. The pair argued that remaining in a Miami jail was preventing them from properly preparing their legal cases in Britain, Romania and the United States.
But prosecutors challenged the suggestion that the brothers’ online output was merely performance. Assistant US Attorney Abbie Waxman showed the court footage of Andrew Tate discussing violence and demonstrating what he described as the basic moves of pimping.
She also played a video in which he was heard saying: “slap, slap, grab, choke, shut up bitch, sex.” Tate has previously described himself as a misogynist, although he and his brother deny the criminal allegations against them.
The hearing, which lasted for around eight hours, ended without a decision from US Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis. Both men were returned to the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where they have been held since their arrest on July 18.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised further charges against Andrew Tate, including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Tristan Tate faces additional allegations of sexual assault, rape and arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation. The CPS says the alleged offending took place between July 2010 and August 2017 and has stressed that the charges are not findings of guilt.
The brothers, who hold both US and British citizenship, are wanted in the UK after British prosecutors requested their extradition. Their lawyers maintain that the case is politically motivated and have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
