Tate Brothers File Amended Defamation Complaint in Florida
Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have filed an amended defamation complaint in a Florida court, naming Australian YouTuber Nathan Pope and others. This follows a December 2025 dismissal of their initial lawsuit over jurisdictional issues, a decision the Tates are appealing. The legal actions involve allegations of defamation by online critics and a separate lawsuit to compel a social media platform to identify anonymous defendants.
Legal Proceedings and Jurisdictional Dispute
In March 2025, Andrew and Tristan Tate filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida, naming Nathan Pope and over a dozen other social media users, advocates, and lawyers as defendants. The lawsuit alleged the defendants conspired to defame the brothers by accusing them of crimes, including rape and human trafficking, thereby damaging their reputations and business opportunities.
In December 2025, a Florida judge dismissed the case against several defendants, including Nathan Pope. The court ruled it lacked personal jurisdiction, as the defendants did not reside in Florida.
The judge stated that social media posts being viewable in Florida did not automatically establish jurisdiction. The court also noted many defendants were initially listed as "John Doe" without proper identification.
The Tate brothers were given 20 days to file an amended complaint. They have done so, naming six defendants, including Pope, and alleging the defendants acted intentionally and directed their posts into Florida. Concurrently, the Tates have appealed the court's finding regarding the "John Doe" defendants.
Separate Lawsuit to Identify Anonymous Critics
In a related legal action, the Tate brothers have filed a lawsuit against the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to compel the identification of anonymous defendants. X has been granted an extension until May 11 to respond to this lawsuit.
Christopher B. Hopkins, a lawyer representing several defendants, has filed for a protective order in the X lawsuit. He argues that if the court lacks jurisdiction over the main defamation case, it also lacks jurisdiction over a lawsuit seeking to unmask defendants for that case.
Background on the Parties Involved
- Andrew and Tristan Tate describe themselves as entrepreneurs and social media influencers. They have lived in Romania since approximately 2015 and are facing criminal charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania and the United Kingdom. In their defamation suit, they assert these charges are false.
- Nathan Pope (known online as "Gadget") is an Australian YouTuber whose channel focuses on criticism of the Tate brothers. He has stated he researches their activities and has expressed concern they recruit young followers into what he perceives as a cult-like environment.
- Other defendants include an anonymous user known as @CrayonMurders, who stated their criticism began after their son repeated a statement attributed to the Tates.
Statements from Involved Parties
- Nathan Pope: "I feel bemused. I have been very public with my identity for years now...I am not sure what took them so long or why they were previously telling the court that I was hiding my identity." Pope maintains he has "not defamed anyone" and views the lawsuit as an attempt to "financially drain" critics.
- @CrayonMurders: "The fact that the person who was briefly influencing my son was arrested on those allegations hit like a tonne of bricks." They described the lawsuit as "a bid to silence their critics."
- Christopher B. Hopkins: The lawyer stated defamation cases should address actual wrongs, not be used for harassment, and that the December 2025 court order established boundaries regarding jurisdiction and procedure. He expects most defendants to file motions to dismiss the amended complaint.
The amended defamation case is scheduled to return to court next month.