CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper highlights Andrew Tate’s strong influence in MAGA
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From the March 13, 2025, edition of CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper
JAKE TAPPER (HOST): They're pretty explicitly not only misogynistic, but I think Andrew Tate's been accused of antisemitism, too. How widespread is their influence in the MAGA movement?
MATT SHEA (GUEST): It's incredibly widespread, and they are allied to the highest levels of the Trump administration. I mean, for example, Paul Ingrassia, one of Tate's lawyers who defended him in the human trafficking case he's being investigated for, is now a top White House official. And, so, the alliance is there, and Trump probably thinks that the Tate brothers helped to radicalize a large portion of young men towards the MAGA movement and helped him get elected.
TAPPER: There's obviously a right of free speech, and they and their supporters have a right to express their views, however repugnant, misogynistic, antisemitic others may find them. But one wonders, is there a risk for people in the MAGA movement, Don Jr. or whomever, embracing them?
SHEA: 100%. I mean, I think in terms of pure crazy factor, this might be the craziest thing the Trump administration has done so far. I mean, allegedly pressuring the Romanian government to release two people who are being investigated for human trafficking and serial rape -- charges that they deny. But I've spoken to some of these alleged victims. There's at least 48 alleged victims in all of the cases against the Tates currently.
I mean, why is it not political suicide to align yourself with these people? That's the question, and it may turn out to be. But I think it's very surprising Dana White hasn't said anything about this yet. The UFC hasn't said anything about this yet. I'm wondering if Mark Zuckerberg is worried because he, of course, recently added Dana White to the board for Meta, presumably because, you know, it gave him some sort of cool factor in his new drive to be considered more masculine.