Romanian authorities have launched an investigation into British-American influencer Tristan Tate over allegations he broke election laws by posting political content on social media during the country's recent presidential elections. The probe, confirmed by police sources, is centred on a social media post that Tate is alleged to have shared on election day and included direct or implicit political messaging, which is illegal in Romania. Tate, 36, is the younger brother of controversial influencer Andrew Tate, 38, a self-described misogynist. The pair have a combined social media following of over 13 million. Both are being investigated by Romanian authorities in a separate case in relation to a number of charges, which they deny. The latest investigation was opened by Ilfov county police after it received an official complaint. It is alleged that Tate may have tried to influence voters through the social media post, which may constitute offences of foreign election interference and campaigning during restricted periods. He has been summoned for questioning on Tuesday. Andrew is not involved in this case, according to official sources. The BBC has contacted Tate's representatives for comment. He has not issued any public statement regarding the investigation. But in a video post apparently published on X on the day of the election, Tate says he is "not campaigning" and that as "an American man, using an American platform, in Dubai, to talk about political issues" he is "not subject to Romania's 'no campaigning' law". In recent years, the Tate brothers have built a massive online presence on social media. They have attracted frequent criticism over offensive statements about women. Both were arrested in Romania in December 2022, with Andrew accused of rape and human trafficking and Tristan suspected of human trafficking. They both denied the charges and spent several months under house arrest. A year and a half later, in August 2024, they faced new allegations in Romania including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons, all of which they deny. They are also facing 21 charges in the UK, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking. At the time of an arrest warrant obtained by Bedfordshire Police in March 2024, the Tates said they "categorically reject all charges" and were "very innocent men". A Romanian court ruled that they could be extradited to the UK only once the separate proceedings against them in Romania concluded. Prosecutors unexpectedly lifted a two-year travel ban earlier this year, after which the brothers travelled from Romania to the US state of Florida by private jet in February 2025. They returned to Romania in March 2025, telling reporters that "innocent men don't run from anything".
Tristan Tate faces probe over alleged Romanian election interference
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"Investigation Launched into Tristan Tate for Alleged Election Law Violations in Romania"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Romanian authorities have initiated an investigation into Tristan Tate, a British-American influencer, over allegations of violating election laws during the recent presidential elections in Romania. The investigation focuses on a social media post allegedly shared by Tate on election day, which is claimed to contain political messaging that contravenes Romanian laws regarding campaigning during restricted periods. Authorities are examining whether Tate's post may have attempted to sway voters, potentially constituting foreign election interference. The inquiry was prompted by an official complaint received by the Ilfov county police, which has summoned Tate for questioning. Although Andrew Tate, Tristan's elder brother, is also under scrutiny in a separate case, he is not implicated in this particular investigation. The BBC has reached out to Tate's representatives for comment, but he has yet to make a public statement regarding the ongoing inquiry. In a video posted on X, Tate asserted that he is not campaigning and claimed that, as an American citizen using an American platform, he is not bound by Romania's election laws.
The Tate brothers have been embroiled in various legal troubles, including serious charges of human trafficking and sexual offenses. They were arrested in December 2022, with Andrew facing allegations of rape and Tristan suspected of human trafficking, both of which they vehemently deny. Following their arrest, they spent several months under house arrest, and new allegations emerged in August 2024 regarding sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons. Additionally, they are facing numerous charges in the UK, including rape and bodily harm. In March 2024, a warrant for their arrest was issued by Bedfordshire Police, prompting the brothers to assert their innocence. A Romanian court has ruled that they will only be extradited to the UK after the conclusion of their ongoing legal proceedings in Romania. After a travel ban was lifted earlier this year, the brothers traveled to Florida by private jet and returned to Romania, maintaining their stance of innocence in the face of the allegations against them.
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