Tampa Bay Young Republicans Group Welcomes Andrew Tate With Open Arms

While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were not welcome in the Sunshine State, one Florida group is excited about their visit.

Enter: the Tampa Bay Young Republicans.

After the Tate brothers arrived in Fort Lauderdale from Romania via private jet on Thursday, the club formally invited Tate to come and speak to the group.

"TBYR formally welcomes @Cobratate & @TateTheTalisman to Florida," the group wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "As free speech abolitionists, the Tates haven't been formally convicted of any crimes and are welcome to speak to our group. We're old enough to remember when a 'Convicted Felon' won the presidency #Freestate."

TBYR formally welcomes @Cobratate & @TateTheTalisman to Florida. As free speech absolutists, the Tate's haven't been formally convicted of any crimes and are welcome to speak to our group. We're old enough to remember when a *"Convicted Felon."* won the Presidency. #Freestate pic.twitter.com/9Ds5hFLnfb

— Tampa Bay Young Republicans (@TBYR) February 27, 2025

Meanwhile, the right-wing influencer brothers, who were arrested near Bucharest, Romania, in December 2022, are facing charges including human trafficking and sex with a minor as part of an alleged criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Tate is also facing a rape charge.

The pair traveled to South Florida on Thursday after Romania lifted its travel restrictions. The brothers' arrival in Florida drew a strong rebuke from the Florida governor, who maintained that the state had nothing to do with their visit. He said that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is investigating where the state has any jurisdiction "to be able to deal with any of this."

Fellow conservatives quickly condemned the Tampa Bay Young Republicans for celebrating the brothers' arrival.

"It's not a matter of speech," DeSantis communications director Bryan Griffin responded on X. "It's a matter of conduct. Conservatism is not impartial to morality. In fact, the right must become more selective about the people we amplify. This is a different situation from the smear campaigns of the left. Their admissions alone are repugnant."

It's not a matter of speech. It's a matter of conduct.
Conservatism is not impartial to morality. In fact, the right must become more selective about the people we amplify.
This is a different situation from the smear campaigns of the left. Their admissions alone are repugnant. https://t.co/Rl20xksNiS

— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) February 28, 2025

Conservative political commentator and media personality Megyn Kelly reposted a video compilation of Tate bragging about beating women, asking the club if this is the type of person it wants to platform.

"You good with this?" she asked.

Hey @TBYR - this is what you want to platform? You good with this? https://t.co/XUZevEhrzR

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 28, 2025

Florida state Sen. and former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party Blaise Ingoglia said the warm welcome was the "wrong move."

"You can believe in free speech and still not give women-abusing scumbags a platform," he wrote. 

Wrong move. You can believe in free speech and still not give women-abusing scumbags a platform. https://t.co/uqKUkcoiEP

— Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) February 28, 2025

The Capital Young Republicans in Tallahassee called the post "deeply disturbing."

"It is deeply disturbing to see that @TBYR is failing to control their worst impulses and choosing to actively undermine the hard work of their colleagues," the group wrote. "We strongly condemn this deliberate erosion of conservative principles, professional conduct, and common decency."

It is deeply disturbing to see that @TBYR is failing to control their worst impulses and choosing to actively undermine the hard work of their colleagues.

We strongly condemn this deliberate erosion of conservative principles, professional conduct, and common decency. https://t.co/7iPQGH2GH1

— Capital Young Republicans (@CapitalYRs) February 28, 2025

In response, the Florida Federation of Young Republicans said the Tampa Bay Young Republicans' charter should be revoked. According to the federation's post, the group is a chartered member of the Florida Young Republicans and has a long history of controversy.

"We have full confidence in @GovRonDeSantis and @AGJamesUthmeier to investigate the Tate brothers and determine if they can be held accountable under Florida jurisdiction," the group added.

Today, the Tampa Bay Young Republicans published an X post rolling out the red carpet for the Tate brothers to speak at its club. We rebuke and condemn this invite in the strongest possible terms. @TBYR is not a charter member of our organization, but rather, the @FloridaYRs.… pic.twitter.com/JlgGmDZ1Oi

— Florida Federation of Young Republicans (@FFYR) February 28, 2025

Brandon Ludwig, the chairman of the Florida Young Republicans, spoke out against the post.

".@FloridaYRs have never limited speech or opinions of our chapters — we've never had to," he wrote on X. Our job is to champion conservative values and deliver wins for the GOP. It's disturbing to see @TBYR undermine that for clickbait; they don't speak for myself or our state."

.@FloridaYRs have never limited speech or opinions of our chapters—we’ve never had to. Our job is to champion conservative values & deliver wins for the GOP.

It’s disturbing to see @TBYR undermine that for clickbait; they don’t speak for myself or our state. https://t.co/ItUcKPGfEJ

— Brandon Ludwig (@BrandonLudwigFL) February 28, 2025

Despite the criticism, the Tampa Bay Young Republican's post remains pinned to the group's X profile as of noon on Friday.

It is unclear how long the brothers are staying in Florida. However, their lawyer said they will be back in Romania for their next court appearance on March 24.