Published : 26 Aug 2026, 10:36 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:36 AM
Controversial social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate rented multimillion-dollar supercars and borrowed other luxury items to cultivate an image of extraordinary wealth online, their lawyers have told a US court.
The claims were made in filings opposing efforts to extradite the brothers from the United States to the United Kingdom, where they face charges including rape, assault and facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, The Guardian reports. The brothers deny wrongdoing.
Their lawyers argued that the lavish lifestyle displayed across the brothers’ social-media accounts should not be taken at face value because exaggerating their wealth was central to the business model behind their online personas.
“Andrew and Tristan are social media personalities. Their business model depends on online attention,” their lawyers said in the court filing, according to The Guardian.
The filing said the brothers deliberately used provocative and exaggerated posts to generate views, likes and, ultimately, income.
“In short, they are playing a role,” the lawyers added.
The defence said images of luxury yachts, supercars and expensive watches did not necessarily prove the brothers owned the assets they displayed online.
A yacht featured in promotional material did not belong to the Tates, according to the filing. Their lawyers said they had instead been paid to promote the vessel on social media.
The defence also said a $2.1 million Aston Martin and Bugattis valued at $5 million and $7 million that appeared in Tristan Tate’s videos had been rented.
The purpose, their lawyers argued, was to project an “uberwealthy” image because the brothers run businesses purporting to teach men how to make money.
The filing also sought to play down other claims the brothers have made online about their wealth and resources.
Their lawyers described social-media posts suggesting access to vast amounts of cryptocurrency and cash as untrue, while characterising other extravagant claims as hyperbole.
They also addressed what The Guardian described as a purported Mexican passport bearing the name “Vladimir Scorpius”, saying it was merely a cardboard prop Tristan had used for a Halloween costume.
The arguments form part of the brothers’ attempt to contest extradition from the US.
Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, were arrested in Miami on Jul 18. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service said the following day that new charges had been brought against them over alleged offences involving four complainants.
The Guardian reported that the 38 additional charges, on top of 21 existing counts, relate to alleged offences between July 2010 and August 2017.
Andrew is also facing a civil case in England brought by four women over allegations of sexual violence. His lawyers have previously issued a “total denial of wrongdoing”.
The brothers are also involved in separate legal proceedings in Romania.
Andrew has said on X that he intends to fight extradition.
