Thousands of people are tracking the flight of a private plane suspected to be carrying brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate from Romania back to the U.S.
The Gulfstream G550 jet, which took off from Romania, was the most-watched flight on FlightTracker, an open-source site used to follow commercial and private planes, early on Thursday, with more than 3,000 users following its route at the time of publication.
Self-described “misogynists” Andrew and Tristan Tate were detained in December 2022 in Bucharest and charged in 2023 with human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. They deny all charges.
The dual British-American citizens have been under travel restrictions. It is not clear under what conditions the Tate brothers were allowed to leave Romania.
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Daniel MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images
Why It Matters
Questions have been raised over what roll U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration played in the brothers, both of whom were vocal supporters of Trump’s presidential campaign, being allowed to travel back to the States.
Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell previously confirmed he discussed the Tate brothers when he met Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu in Germany last week. A spokesperson for Romania’s Foreign Ministry told CNN on Thursday there had been “no pressure, no solicitations” in those talks.
Romanian prosecutors have confirmed travel restrictions were lifted, but insisted “all other obligations remain in effect, including the requirement to appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned.”
What To Know
The jet being tracked is a Gulfstream jet owned by Woods Management LLC, which is based in Chicago, according to the BBC. This jet is not confirmed to be carrying the Tate brothers, but its blue stripe across the body of the plane matches a photo posted by a Romanian journalist of the Tate brothers boarding a plane this morning.
The brothers’ lawyer, Ioan Gliga, told CNN the pair left Romania Thursday morning and are headed to Florida.
Aviation journalist Josh Cahill wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday that he was “99% sure” the plane being heavily tracked is carrying the two brothers.
“The flight path also suggest that it is headed for Florida. No other private jet has departed Romania today,” he wrote.
Daniel Mihailescu/Getty Images
The brothers also face civil claims in the U.K., brought by four women who accused the brothers of rape and human trafficking. They deny the allegations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet Trump for talks in Washington, D.C., later on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
Romanian prosecutors told the BBC: “Regarding two defendants, individuals with dual citizenship, American and British, who are under judicial control in the criminal cases being investigated by DIICOT – Central Structure, we make the following clarification: the request to revoke the preventive measure of judicial control has been rejected, and it remains in place in both cases where criminal prosecution is under way.”
Statement from Tate’s alleged victims in the U.S. given to LBC: “We are in disbelief and feel re-traumatized by the news that the Romanian authorities have given into pressure from the Trump administration to allow Andrew Tate to travel around Europe and to the US. We can only hope that the British authorities finally take action, do something about this terrifying unfolding situation and ensure he faces justice in the UK.”
What Happens Next
Romanian prosecutors have said the Tate brothers remain under investigation and must return to face charges next month.
The brothers’ lawyer told CNN they will return to Romania for their next court appearance on March 24.
