Officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have intervened on behalf of influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who have been accused of sex trafficking and other crimes in the United Kingdom and Romania, according to a new ProPublica investigative report.
The article, published Nov. 18, claims attorney Paul Ingrassia asked federal investigators to return electronic devices belonging to the brothers.
Mr. Ingrassia, who was working as a liaison between the White House and the Department of Homeland Security at the time, allegedly “reprimanded” agents for seizing the Tate’s property when he entered the United States last year. Ingrassia claimed the request came directly from the White House, according to the report.
Former champion kickboxer Andrew Tate is an online influencer and media personality with millions of followers, primarily among young men. He was featured in the first episode of USA TODAY’s documentary series “Extremely Normal.” In this episode, we explored the “manosphere,” a loosely knit network of chatrooms, social media influencers, websites, podcasts, vlogs, TikTok and YouTube channels, merchandise outfits, and gaming platforms.
Andrew Tate is primarily known for his brand of hypermasculinity. He promotes fitness, lifestyle, and get-rich-quick advice, as well as a rhetoric that teaches his followers how to sexually exploit women using the “Loverboy Method,” a manipulative technique that targets vulnerable women. Andrew Tate and his brothers deliberately portray themselves as misogynists while claiming to respect women.
The Tates have long been vocal supporters of Trump and his “Make America Great Again” political movement.
Andrew Tate refutes claims he promotes toxic masculinity in men
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate declined to be interviewed by USA TODAY’s extremist reporter Will Carless. But he sent a statement.
Tate’s relationship with the White House currently appears to be benefiting the influencer in certain ways, according to the Times. The Trump administration reportedly pressured Romanian authorities to release the brothers from house arrest while authorities investigated the charges.
Mr. Ingrassia was removed from the race for a nomination to the Office of Special Counsel after it was revealed that he had sent a series of racist text messages, including one in which he described himself as having “Nazi tendencies.” He worked in the law firm of Joseph McBride, the Tate brothers’ personal attorney, before joining the Trump administration.
McBride told USA TODAY that the ProPublica article was “nothing.” He said that despite petitioning several federal agencies, the Tate brothers still have not had their electronic devices returned. And he scoffed at claims that Mr. Ingrassia would have requested the return of the Tate’s property on behalf of the White House.
“I have no knowledge of any intervention by Paul,” McBride said. “Did Paul order anyone to do anything in the White House? No! First of all, Paul has no such authority.”
Mr McBride added:
“As a young man rising through the ranks, the fact of the matter is, does he have the authority to do something like that and why would he do it?”
ProPublica interviewed federal law enforcement experts who called Ingrassia’s alleged interference “highly unusual” and an “intimidation tactic.”
The Tate brothers have not been charged with any crimes in the United States, and it is unclear whether a criminal investigation is underway against them.
Mr. McBride has consistently denied allegations that he acted fraudulently on behalf of his clients.
