So will Donald Trump help to free the Tates after their Miami arrest? Brothers' lawyers claim President will halt 'persecution' by UK

By REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR and DANIEL BATES Published: 00:56, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 00:56, 20 July 2026 Influencer Andrew Tate tried to get Donald Trump's help yesterday as he was arrested in Miami on new sex abuse charges. The self-proclaimed misogynist issued an extraordinary statement through a lawyer, claiming he had been 'kidnapped through paperwork', after the US authorities handcuffed him on behalf of British police. The 39-year-old and his brother Tristan, 38, face 38 new charges relating to alleged attacks on four victims, in addition to 21 existing charges regarding alleged sexual offences between 2010 and 2017. The brothers were taken into custody by US marshals outside a convention centre in Miami on Saturday – moments before Andrew Tate was due to host a bare-knuckle boxing event. The pair face the prospect of being held behind bars for months while they fight extradition proceedings in the US courts. The Crown Prosecution Service has requested their extradition to face trial in the UK. But the pair issued a statement through their lawyer claiming the US President would step in to block it as he 'hates political persecution and communism'. Joseph McBride, representing the brothers, hit out at the UK for being a 'corrupt and fallen nation', claiming the accused were victims of a 'political hit ordered by a dying empire that fears two free men with a microphone more than it fears actual criminals walking its streets'. He added: 'This extradition demand has one purpose: To kidnap Andrew and Tristan through paperwork.' Andrew Tate (pictured) and his brother Tristan were arrested in Miami, Florida, on Saturday night They were arrested by US marhsalls at IBA Bear Knuckle Fights event at James L Knight Center. Pictured: Tristan Tate is arrested Andrew Tate tried to get US President Donald Trump's help as he and his brother Tristan were arrested on new sex abuse charges Mr McBride suggested that the arrest over 'baseless' allegations was a bureaucratic error. 'Our understanding is that this arrest was green-lighted by a low-level functionary at the Department of Justice who never got approval from leadership,' he said.  'We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the Department of Justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free. America does not do Britain's political dirty work.' If the extradition request is approved, the Tates would be flown to Britain to face trial. The brothers are also facing legal proceedings in Romania, where they have a home. It is understood that the UK extradition request will now take precedence, meaning they would not face any action in Romania until the conclusion of the British case. Bedfordshire Police first secured European arrest warrants for the pair in 2024, but it has taken years to build the case and detectives are still investigating additional claims. Former kickboxer Andrew Tate faces seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault and 19 offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. Tristan Tate is facing new charges including one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation. The pair have previously denied any wrongdoing. Lawyer Matt Jury, who represents four victims, urged the courts to act swiftly, saying: 'It is time they face justice.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.