Andrew and Tristan Tate have asked a US court in Florida to release them on bail while they challenge Britain’s attempt to extradite them over allegations including rape and human trafficking.
The brothers, who hold both British and American citizenship, appeared before Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis in Miami on Thursday wearing prison clothing and handcuffs.
They rejected the accusations against them and criticised the conditions of their detention.
Andrew Tate, 39, told the court that he had never carried out any of the offences for which he is being investigated.
His younger brother, Tristan, 38, complained that their confinement was cramped, hot and provided limited access to daylight and physical activity.
Tristan said his detention was affecting his ability to prepare his legal defence and claimed he had lost about 14lb (6.3kg) while in custody.
Prosecutors opposed their release, arguing that the brothers presented a significant risk of fleeing the United States.
Government lawyers pointed to their financial resources and previous claims that they possessed several passports.
Their lawyers disputed those concerns, maintaining that the brothers’ international profile would make any attempt to disappear extremely difficult.
They also argued that the pair had previously respected court-imposed restrictions while dealing with legal proceedings in Britain and Romania.
The Tates were arrested in Miami on 19 July after Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced 38 additional allegations against them.
British prosecutors now have until 16 September to provide American authorities with a formal extradition application.
In total, UK prosecutors have accused the brothers of 59 offences, including rape, sex trafficking and offences involving indecent images of a child.
The allegations concern seven women.
Andrew Tate denied being involved in human trafficking when questioned by his lawyer, Joseph McBride.
He also defended some of his controversial online comments, saying he had made provocative statements to attract attention on social media.
He told the court that he had returned to professional boxing against younger and heavier opponents to earn money, while rejecting claims that his online displays of wealth accurately reflected his financial position.
The defence also presented Natasha Sesay, who described herself as Andrew Tate’s former partner of five years. She told the court they had a child together and that she was expecting another.
Sesay said Tate had never been violent towards women and told the court that she welcomed having him back at home.
The brothers are also facing criminal proceedings in Romania, where they were accused of sexual offences and human trafficking in 2022.
They remained subject to travel restrictions there before being permitted to travel to the United States in 2025.
Tristan Tate told the court that returning to Britain would result in his imprisonment and the loss of his assets.
He said the Romanian case had already caused severe financial and personal damage to his family.
The brothers became prominent figures in the online “manosphere”, attracting a large following, particularly among young men, through content centred on wealth, masculinity and an extravagant lifestyle.
The White House has said President Donald Trump will not become involved in the extradition proceedings, despite the Tates’ public support for him.
Judge Louis is expected to deliver a written decision later on whether the brothers will be granted bail while the extradition process continues.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong