Andrew and Tristan Tate have asked a Florida court to release them on bail as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom, where they face 59 criminal charges including rape, sex trafficking and indecent images of a child.
The brothers, who are dual British-US citizens, appeared in court on Thursday in shackles and wearing tan jail uniforms, where they denied the allegations and criticised the conditions of their detention.
US Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis is expected to issue a written ruling on whether to grant bail.
The brothers were arrested in Miami on July 19 after Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced additional charges against them. UK authorities have until September 16 to submit a full extradition request.
During the hearing, defence lawyers argued that the brothers should be released because they had previously complied with court-imposed conditions while facing legal proceedings in Britain and Romania.
Government lawyers, however, opposed bail, describing the brothers as flight risks and pointing to their alleged access to substantial financial resources and multiple passports.
The defence countered that their high public profile would make it extremely difficult for them to evade authorities.
Andrew Tate, 39, took the stand and maintained that he had never committed the crimes alleged against him. “I’ve never committed the crimes I’m accused of.”
His younger brother, Tristan Tate, 38, also testified about his detention, describing his conditions as cramped and hot, with limited access to sunlight and exercise. “It’s beginning to grate on me because I can’t partake in helping with my defence.”
He also claimed he had lost 14lb (6.3kg) while in custody. “It’s death by scurvy.”
The British Embassy has filed court documents asking the judge to keep the brothers in custody while the UK pursues their extradition.
Under questioning from his lawyer, Joseph McBride, Andrew Tate denied being a human trafficker.
The former professional kickboxer also defended his controversial online persona, telling the court that some of his statements were deliberately provocative. “I’ve said some stupid things, but sometimes you have to shake the internet to get noticed, this is the reality of the internet. I’m being treated like El Chapo but I have a perfect record in the court system,”
The US government has challenged the brothers’ claims that their online displays of wealth were exaggerated for their social media audience.
Federal lawyers argued that the men had access to resources that could facilitate an escape and had previously boasted about possessing multiple passports.
Andrew Tate, however, testified that he had returned to professional boxing against younger and heavier opponents to support himself financially.
The defence also called Natasha Sesay, an English woman who testified in support of Andrew Tate’s release.
Sesay described a five-year romantic relationship with Tate, saying they had one child together and were expecting a second.
“It’s nice having him at home,” she told the court.
She also said Tate had never ever been violent toward women, despite the controversial image he has cultivated online.
British prosecutors have brought a total of 59 criminal charges against the brothers.
The allegations include rape, offences relating to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child, with the combined charges involving seven alleged victims, according to UK prosecutors.
The UK previously filed 21 charges against the brothers last year before bringing an additional 38 counts last month.
The brothers have also faced sex-trafficking charges in Romania since 2022 and were subject to a travel ban there before being allowed to travel to the United States in 2025.
Tristan Tate told the court that returning to Britain would result in his detention and the loss of his assets. “If I go to England they will lock me up, and take everything I’ve ever worked for.”
He described the Romanian proceedings as having “destroyed my entire life”, saying the legal battle had affected his finances and family.
“They took everything, even the savings accounts for their [his children’s] college funds. This case is make or break for me,” he said.
The Tate brothers rose to prominence through a large social media following and an online brand centred on wealth, masculinity and the so-called manosphere.
Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer, has amassed millions of followers, particularly among young men.
The White House has said President Donald Trump will not intervene in the brothers’ extradition proceedings, despite their vocal support for him.
The Florida court’s decision on bail will determine whether the brothers remain in US custody while British authorities pursue the extradition process.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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