The arrival of two controversial men in the United States facing human trafficking charges abroad sparked widespread criticism among conservative Christian leaders on Thursday, and even a pushback from the Florida governor said the duo was not welcome.
Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate – a double American citizen – were arrested in Romania in December 2022 on charges of human trafficking, rape and formation of organized crime groups. They are also facing British rape and trafficking accusations. In both countries, they It's been criticized A woman who seduces error Force them to create explicit online content.
The brother denied all criminal charges and has not yet been convicted. Their lawyers said the brothers will return to Romania for future legal proceedings.
The brothers landed in Florida as high-level members of the Trump administration reportedly urged Romania to lift travel restrictions.nevertheless President Trump himself Thursday He denied joining hands on the issue and told reporters, “I don't know anything about it.”
Tates has been described in the media as a “right-wing influencer,” but many leaders on the right made comments to men.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Thursday that he hopes his administration will drive Tate out of his state.
“Florida is not a place to be welcomed with this kind of act,” DeSantis said. “And I don't know how it came to this, we weren't involved. We were not notified. I learned through the media that this is happening. ”
#BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida doesn't welcome Andrew and Tristan Tate flying from Romania, AG says @jamesuthmeierfl Explore legal options to address it
“No: Florida is not a place to welcome such actions.”
“Our Attorney General… pic.twitter.com/xwoiaswa28
– Voice of Florida (@flvoiceNews) February 27, 2025
Florida Attorney General James Usmier, X (formerly Twitter), told his office he had directed the man to “conduct a preliminary investigation” to work with his state law enforcement partners.
“There is zero resistance to trafficking and violence against women in Florida,” Usmeyer wrote. “If any of these suspicious crimes cause a Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable.”
Despite the backlash, several conservative media members and influencers, including Tucker Carlson and Benny Johnson, have interviewed Andrew Tate in recent months and become a platform. Alina Haba, who served as Trump's lawyer and appeared in Trump's campaign ads, told Tate on the Johnson podcast that she was a “big fan” of him.
However, few conservatives defended Tate on Thursday and Friday.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican and Trump voice supporter from Missouri, is linked to Newsweek, linked to X (formerly Twitter). article It raised concerns about moral corruption on the right. “The Important Work – And the Right” Holy I wrote it.
Important Works – and accurately correct https://t.co/1lawlfok8w
– Josh Hawley (@hawleymo) February 28, 2025
“We should welcome such miserable condemnation to our shores or protect him from justice, not to mention political movements downstream of the Biblical Jewish-Christian tradition, just like American conservatism.” “Andrew Tate is a self-proclaimed misogynist, self-proclaimed pimp and describes online courses on pimp as “my recruitment system.” From his large platform, he urges women to treat them as merely sexual objects and containers of sperm. How inexplicable is it for political movements that advocate the mantle of “family values” to support such individuals?
Tates' arrival in Florida attracted criticism from prominent Christians within the conservative community. There are five here.
1. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
“I hope our government is not involved in any way,” Holy said. Huffpost. “In my opinion, the accusations against him are It's very serious. …I Don't think conservatives should praise this guy at all. I certainly don't think we should use influence on the government. try out To take him out of what he looks like It's very serious Prices in Romania. So I hope we're never involved. ”
Andrew Tate's GOP Senator Holy returns to the US:
“I hope our government will never get involved. In my opinion, the accusations against him are very serious… I don't think conservatives should praise this guy at all.”
“I certainly don't think we should be there…
– Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) February 27, 2025
2. Ally Beth Stucky, host of related podcasts
“I was under the impression that sex trafficking was something we were In fact, really Everyone was concerned, but this development of Epstein and the applause of the Tate brothers made me question it. ”
I was under the impression that sex trafficking was something we actually really care about, but this development in Epstein and the applause of the Tate brothers made me question it.
– Ally Beth Stucky (@conservmillen) February 28, 2025
3. Jeremy Boing, co-founder, Daily Wire
“The way conservatives and conservative organisations respond to Andrew Tate as they arrive in the US soil will tell you everything you need to know about them,” he said bored. I wrote it. “The organizations and hosts that accept him are engaged as far worse than simple glyft, but Andrew Tate is the enemy of traditional American conservatism.”
The way conservatives and conservative organisations respond to Andrew Tate as they arrive in the US soil will tell you everything you need to know about them. The organizations and hosts that accept him are, but much worse than simple glyft. Andrew Tate is the enemy…
– Jeremy Boing (@jeremydboreing) February 27, 2025
4. Lila Rose, president, live action
“We thought we were trying to deport sexual predators.”
We thought we were trying to deport sex predators. pic.twitter.com/1zpc2wudum
– Lila Rose (@lilagracerose) February 27, 2025
5. Jonathon Van Mullen, a conservative writer
“Andrew Tate is a litmus test. If you support him, you support pimps, porn, women. Tate, by the way, admits that violence is agreed and that he will descend to be the woman. Considering it a legitimate defense, there's nothing in common.
“If you're willing to protect Andrew Tate, you're infected with the 'Awakened Mind Virus' like the craziest left wing. You've become something you hate. You are willing to defend vulnerability.
“For some reason, defending a sleazy man is actually equivalent to kicking himself repeatedly where it hurts but exists,” as it is actually equivalent to kicking himself repeatedly in a place where it exists. Completely I'm sure you're dealing with a blow against the “opposite side.”
“When it comes to violence and sexual exploitation against women, there should be only one side here. Make sure you're in it. Otherwise, you are an arsonist, not a firefighter. ”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Daniel Mihailescu/AFP
Michael Foot For 20 years, I have covered the intersection of faith and news. His stories appear in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Leaf, Toronto Star, Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! He is the host of Cross Walk Talka podcast where he talks to Christian movie stars, musicians, directors and more. Listen to famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian films, books, television and other entertainment. You can find Cross Walk Talk Above lifeaudio.comor subscribe apple or Spotify So you won't miss an interview that will surely encourage your faith.
It was originally published on February 28, 2025.
