Social media influencer Andrew Tate rented supercars to appear “uberwealthy” in order to generate more online engagement, his lawyers have said. Legal representatives for the former kickboxer, and his brother Tristan Tate, have claimed the pair deliberately portray themselves as far wealthier than they are because their “business model depends on online attention”.
Court filing details online persona
The submissions come after British police sought the brothers’ extradition from the US over an investigation into alleged sexual offences, which they deny. The Tate brothers, who hold dual US and British citizenship, were arrested by US marshals in Miami in July after new charges were brought against them.
In a court filing, their lawyers said: “Andrew and Tristan are social media personalities. Their business model depends on online attention. The outrageousness of the posts by them and about them is the point. The more hyperbolic and outlandish the post, the more likely it will generate views and likes, which in turn generates income. In short, they are playing a role.”
Luxury items not evidence of wealth
The brothers’ legal representatives said images of luxury yachts, supercars and expensive watches shared by the brothers online should not be taken as evidence of their wealth. Their submissions continued: “A promotional video filmed aboard a yacht is not evidence of title to the yacht. The ‘superyacht’ does not belong to the Tates. They received payment to promote the ship on social media.
“Further, the Tates are engaged in several businesses ‘teaching’ men how to earn money. It is in their interest to portray themselves on social media as uberwealthy. For example, the 2.1 million dollar Aston Martin and five million dollar and seven million dollar Bugattis featured in Tristan’s videos were rented. The valuation of Andrew’s watch collection is based on a third-party enthusiast publication.”
Separate legal proceedings
Separately, Andrew Tate is being sued in England by four women over allegations of sexual violence, with the former professional kickboxer’s lawyers previously telling the High Court there was a “total denial of wrongdoing”. Three of the women bringing the civil case reported allegations of rape and sexual assault against Tate to Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2014 and 2015, with the case concluded in 2019.
The civil trial was adjourned in May after the force said it would reinvestigate the alleged offences. After the brothers’ arrests on July 18, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was bringing further charges against them.
Andrew Tate, 39, was charged with seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 19 additional charges relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. Tristan Tate, 38, was charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The CPS said the 38 additional charges, in addition to 21 existing charges, relate to alleged offences between July 2010 and August 2017. The brothers are also facing legal proceedings in Romania and were due to be extradited to the UK after those proceedings concluded, after Bedfordshire Police secured European arrest warrants for the pair in 2024. The pair have previously “unequivocally” denied wrongdoing, with Andrew Tate describing himself and his brother as “very innocent men”.
