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Andrew Tate has filed a lawsuit against Meta and TikTok, claiming that their decision to ban him and his brother from their platforms in 2022 was politically motivated, unlawful, and part of a coordinated effort to silence their voices and damage their reputations.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Andrew and Tristan Tate are British-American brothers who gained fame as former kickboxers turned online influencers, building wealth through digital businesses like online courses, webcam modeling, and social media monetization. Andrew’s presence online made him notorious for promoting ultra-masculine views that critics say fuel toxic behavior, while supporters defend the brothers as self-made entrepreneurs challenging political correctness. They are facing various charges in the UK and Romania, where they’ve been accused of human trafficking, rape, and running a criminal enterprise; in the UK, they face accusations of controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm. Prosecutors argue they exploited women through a predatory network, while the Tates insist the cases are politically motivated efforts to silence them.

What’s going on now: In an announcement on X, Andrew Tate confirmed he was suing Meta and TikTok, accusing the tech giants of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign to deplatform him and his brother, Tristan, in 2022. According to Tate, the social media companies acted in step with government agencies, media organizations, and ideological groups to suppress constitutionally protected speech under the guise of community guideline enforcement. In his posts, Tate claimed he had set aside “$400 million” of his “personal fortune” to wage a legal battle against what he calls “The Matrix.”  

The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, allege breach of contract, defamation, and violations of free speech rights, seeking more than $50 million in compensatory damages from each platform. The filings argue that the bans caused “substantial and irreplaceable financial loss and damage,” claiming the brothers’ businesses were heavily dependent on their online visibility and engagement. The Tates say their removals were carried out without notice, explanation, or opportunity to appeal, which they believe violates both platform terms of service and legal standards.

Meta and TikTok have so far declined to comment on the lawsuits. However, the platforms previously cited violations of their community guidelines as the reason for banning the Tates in 2022. These violations included promoting hate speech, spreading misinformation, and encouraging misogynistic rhetoric. TikTok, for example, specifically stated at the time that the Tates had been removed for promoting a “hateful ideology.”