Andrew Tate sues Meta and TikTok for ‘deplatforming'
The Tate brothers, who were banned from TikTok and Meta's Instagram and Facebook in 2022, filed lawsuits against both companies last week, alleging a 'coordinated campaign to suppress, silence, and destroy the reputations and livelihoods' of the two men.
'This campaign was carried out not merely by private actors, but in concert with government officials, media operatives, and ideological pressure groups—thus transforming Meta into a state actor for purposes of constitutional liability,' the filing reads.
A similar statement also appears in the TikTok lawsuit.
The brothers argue that the banning of their accounts amounts to a breach of contract and caused substantial financial losses, bringing a dozen claims against both Meta and TikTok.
They dispute the companies' rationales for banning them, arguing that claims they promoted dangerous individuals or incited misogyny 'lacked substantiation and were unsupported by adjudicated findings.' Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist.
Meta declined to comment. TikTok did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.
The Tate brothers, who are dual American and British citizens, face various charges in both the United Kingdom and Romania.
British prosecutors charged both men with rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm in May. Andrew Tate is also accused of controlling prostitution by the U.K. authorities. They face similar charges of human trafficking and sexual misconduct in Romania.
The brothers have denied any wrongdoing. They returned to the U.S. earlier this year, where they received a chilly reception. After they landed in Miami in February, the Florida attorney general launched an investigation into the two men.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of 37 former intelligence officials
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on Aug. 19 that President Donald Trump had directed her office to revoke security clearances from 37 former intelligence officials for 'politicizing and manipulating intelligence.' 'Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold,' she wrote in an X post that contained a memo her office had sent out. 'In doing so, they undermine our national security, the safety and security of the American people and the foundational principles of our democratic republic.' The former officials who are all accused of 'leaking classified intelligence without authorization,' include Biden administration officials Emily Horne, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, and Dilpreet Sidhu, who served as a deputy chief of staff at the National Security Council. Last month, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report that claimed to demonstrate how the former President Barack Obama and his national security Cabinet had 'manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup' against Trump after he had defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016. Obama's office dismissed the claims as another example of the constant "nonsense and misinformation" that emanates out of the White House. 'Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes," Obama's office said in a statement on July 22. 'These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.' Rubio now serves as Trump's secretary of state. On his first day in office, Trump revoked the security clearance of his former national security adviser John Bolton as well as his Secret Service protection.
The Hill
6 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump eyes Intel stake
Lutnick indicated the money for the stake would come from previously allocated Biden-era funding. Media reports have suggested the government is considering a 10 percent stake using CHIPS and Science Act grants. 'The president figures out that we should get, America should get the benefit of the bargain,' he told CNBC's 'Squawk Box.' 'I mean, that is exactly Donald Trump's perspective, which is, why are we giving a company worth $100 billion this kind of money?' he continued. 'What is in it for the American taxpayer? And the answer Donald Trump has is we should get an equity state for our money.' 'So we'll deliver the money which was already committed under the Biden administration,' Lutnick added. 'We'll get equity in return for it, get a good return for the American taxpayer instead of just giving grants away.' The Commerce secretary's comments come just less than two weeks after President Trump called on Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign. The president accused Tan of being 'highly conflicted' following Sen. Tom Cotton's (R-Ark.) letter to the company, voicing concerns about the CEO's investments in Chinese companies and his previous role at Cadence Design Systems. The software firm recently pleaded guilty to violating export controls by selling chip design technology to a Chinese military university during Tan's tenure. However, Trump changed his tone after meeting with Tan last week, and reports began emerging that the administration was considering taking a stake in the company. 'The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 'Mr. Tan and my Cabinet members are going to spend time together, and bring suggestions to me during the next week.'
The Hill
6 minutes ago
- The Hill
Noem: Trump wants border wall painted black so it is too hot to climb
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said on Tuesday that President Trump wants the U.S.-Mexico border wall to be painted black so that it would be too hot for migrants to climb over. 'Now, if you look at the structure that's behind me, it's tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb, almost impossible. It also goes deep into the ground, which would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to dig under. And today, we are also going to be painting it black. That is specifically at the request of the president, who understands that in the hot temperatures down here, when something is painted black, it gets even warmer, and it will make it even harder for people to climb,' Noem said during a press conference in Santa Teresa, N.M. Trump signed the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' into law last month, which provided $165 million to DHS, with the majority of the funds going toward securing the southern border and deporting migrants who are in the country illegally. Out of the total sum, $46.5 billion was included for the construction of the new border wall, parts of which were starting to be built during the president's first White House term. The DHS chief said that the wall would be getting a makeover by adding more 'technology, cameras, sensors.' The president also wanted to paint the border wall black during his first Oval Office term. Noem said the change would help encourage migrants not to come into the U.S. without authorization, 'but that they will abide and come to our country the right way, so that they can stay and have the opportunity to become United States citizens and pursue the American dream.' She added, 'I remember that a nation without borders is no nation at all, and we're so thankful that we have a president that understands that and understands that a secure border is important to our country's future.'
