Barron Trump developed a reportedly friendly connection last year with Andrew Tate, the controversial influencer facing human-trafficking and rape allegations in multiple countries.
A Zoom call between the pair took place last year, with Barron, 19, described as being an admirer of the influencer.
Andrew, a self-proclaimed misogynist, was under travel restrictions in Romania at the time as part of a long-running human-trafficking and rape investigation.
Highlights
- Barron Trump had a Zoom call with Andrew Tate last year and is described as an admirer of the controversial influencer.
- Andrew Tate faces serious charges including human trafficking, rape, and sexual activity with a minor in Romania and the UK.
- Despite Tate's legal issues, he allegedly sought support from people linked to Donald Trump, claiming the administration was monitoring his case.
Barron Trump reportedly had a Zoom call with Andrew Tate
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Andrew and his brother Tristan are accused in Romania of forming an organized criminal group that exploited women for online sexual content and forced them into pornography.
Prosecutors have also charged Andrew with rape and sexual intercourse with a minor, allegations he denies.
The call was confirmed to The New York Times by Justin Waller, a close ally of the Tate brothers, who said he participated in the conversation.
He told the newspaper that the discussion included Tate’s belief that Romanian authorities were trying to suppress him, with Barron agreeing.
However, Barron did not suggest that he planned to get involved with the case, the NYT reported.
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The call came amid reports that Tate had grown increasingly focused on building ties to people around Donald Trump as his legal problems expanded overseas.
One text message reviewed by NYT on January 14, sent by Andrew to an associate, reportedly read, “I had word from The Trump admin that theyre on top of things.
“Ive been told ill be free soon but Trump needs to see me in Miami,” he added.
NYT reported that several people linked to Trump also had interactions connected to the Tate brothers.
Richard Grenell, serving as a diplomatic envoy, spoke twice with Romanian officials about the brothers. He said the conversations have been overstated and that he did not intervene in the case.
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Trump adviser Alina Habba told Andrew on a podcast in January, “I got your back,” though she later denied any involvement in his travel ban being lifted.
Another Trump associate, Paul Ingrassia, who briefly served as a liaison to the Department of Justice, had previously been connected to the Tates’ legal efforts, according to NYT.
The White House told NYT that the Trump administration was not involved in anything to do with the Tates’ legal issues, and did not respond to a question about Barron Trump.
A lawyer for the Tates’ told NYT its claims about Barron and Andrew were “fake news.”
In February, Romania’s political leadership directed prosecutors to look for a compromise with the brothers, despite objections from investigators who viewed them as a flight risk.
The Tate brothers are accused of human trafficking and rape
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Travel restrictions were then lifted and the Romanian prime minister believed the decision would be seen positively by the Trump team, NYT reported.
The brothers left Romania on February 27 and flew to Florida.
Their arrival set off a wave of criticism inside the conservative movement that had previously boosted them online.
Governor Ron DeSantis said Florida was a place where the brothers’ brand of toxic masculinity was “not welcome.”
The Florida attorney general also opened a state investigation following their arrival.
Arriving at the studios for the Patrick Bet-David’s show in Fort Lauderdale in March, Andrew praised Trump but couldn’t say the same for DeSantis after the frosty welcome.
“Trump is such a boss, he is such a gangster,” Andrew said. “As for Ron [DeSantis], I’m disappointed.”
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U.S. Homeland Security investigators have also reportedly examined the Tates over several years in connection with possible trafficking activity.
When the brothers landed in Miami in February, federal agents seized their electronic devices.
ProPublica later reported that Ingrassia attempted to help recover the devices, though he denied this.
The allegations against the brothers stretch back almost a decade.
The Romanian case continues to move through the courts, and British prosecutors have authorized separate trafficking and rape charges to proceed once the Romania case is resolved.
The list of 21 charges stem from allegations dating back to between 2012 and 2015, and include rape, human trafficking, actual bodily harm, and controlling prostitution for gain against multiple women.
In addition to the criminal case, Andrew is also facing a separate civil lawsuit in the U.K. brought by several women accusing him of abuse between 2013 and 2015.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service has recently ruled that the evidence does not meet the test for criminal prosecution in that civil case, so no additional criminal charges are being pursued in that particular matter at this stage.
The civil lawsuit is continuing toward a trial, currently scheduled for 2027.