Tate Brothers' Defamation Suit Against YouTuber Dismissed in Florida
An Australian YouTuber, Nathan Pope (known online as "Gadget"), has successfully moved to have a defamation lawsuit filed by Andrew and Tristan Tate dismissed in a Florida court. The Tate brothers are appealing this decision.
The Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit, initiated by Andrew and Tristan Tate in March 2025, named Mr. Pope and 14 other social media users, advocates, and lawyers. Mr. Pope's YouTube channel primarily focuses on criticizing the Tate brothers, whom he has accused of exploiting their followers, particularly through their online education business, "The Real World."
Mr. Pope stated he researched their activities and believed they were targeting young schoolboys, potentially luring them into what he perceived as a cult environment and isolating them from their families and friends.
Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania and the United Kingdom. In their defamation suit, the brothers asserted the criminal charges against them were false. They accused the defendants of conspiring to defame them, claiming their reputation as "respected thought leaders, business moguls, and motivational speakers" and their ability to generate income had been damaged by the social media posts.
Mr. Pope contended that his YouTube posts were factual and suggested the lawsuit was an attempt to silence him and financially strain the defendants.
Court's Jurisdiction Ruling and Appeal
The Tate brothers had lodged the lawsuit in Florida, despite having resided in Romania for a decade, with a brief return to Florida last year.
In December 2025, the judge ruled that several defendants, including Mr. Pope, do not reside in Florida, thus the court lacked personal jurisdiction over them. The judge stated that even if their social media posts were viewed in Florida, it did not automatically establish jurisdiction. Furthermore, many defendants were initially listed as "John Doe" defendants without their actual names or proper legal procedures for identification and service.
Mr. Pope noted that most defendants are not from the U.S., and he himself has never been to the country or Florida.
Christopher B. Hopkins, a lawyer representing several defendants, stated that defamation cases should address actual wrongs, not be used for harassment or to deter criticism. The court's order established important boundaries regarding jurisdiction, procedure, and fairness.
Following the ruling, the Tate brothers were given 20 days to amend their complaint to name actual defendants and provide a good-faith, fact-based basis for personal jurisdiction. The Tates' lawyers have since appealed the finding that the "John Doe" defendants cannot be sued. The case is scheduled to return to court next month.