An Australian YouTuber, Nathan Pope, has successfully defended himself against a lawsuit filed by Andrew and Tristan Tate in a Florida court. The case was dismissed, but the controversial influencers are now appealing the decision.
Nathan Pope, known online as “Gadget,” was one of 15 individuals targeted in the lawsuit initiated by the Tate brothers in March 2025. The suit named social media users, advocates, and lawyers who have been critical of the Tates, particularly focusing on their subscription-based online education business, “The Real World.”
Background of the Legal Dispute
Mr. Pope, an Adelaide resident, has been vocal about his criticism of the Tates, accusing them of exploiting their followers, especially young schoolboys. “I was researching online and discovered that they were at that time predominantly targeting very young schoolboys,” Pope told ABC News. “They were luring them into, what I believe, was a cult environment and isolating them from their families and friends.”
The Tate brothers, particularly Andrew, who self-identifies as a misogynist, have amassed millions of followers online. Both are currently facing serious charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania and the UK.
The Defamation Lawsuit
The lawsuit claimed that the criminal charges against the Tates were false and accused the defendants of a conspiracy to defame them. Court documents reviewed by ABC stated,
“The Tate Brothers consult, advise, and generate income from various business ventures, with revenues estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”
The documents further alleged that the defendants’ social media posts had severely damaged the Tates’ reputations, affecting their income.
Mr. Pope, however, maintains that his YouTube content is factual. “Honestly, I think it’s just to silence me, because what we’re saying is effective and the truth,” he said. “They don’t like what they say being contradicted at all.”
Legal Proceedings and Jurisdictional Challenges
The lawsuit was filed in Florida, where the Tates briefly returned last year, despite having lived in Romania for a decade. In December 2025, a judge dismissed the case, citing jurisdictional issues, as many defendants, including Pope, do not reside in Florida. The judge noted that even if their posts were read in Florida, it did not grant the court jurisdiction.
Many defendants were listed as “John Doe” due to their online pseudonyms, and the judge criticized the Tates for not properly identifying these individuals.
“Most of us aren’t even from the US. I’ve never been to the US or stepped foot in Florida,” Mr. Pope remarked.
Christopher B. Hopkins, a lawyer for several defendants, welcomed the dismissal. “Defamation cases are supposed to right actual wrongs, not just be litigation to drain someone’s bank account or frighten away any criticism,” he stated. “The court’s order draws important lines around jurisdiction, procedure, and fairness.”
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
Following the dismissal, the Tates were given 20 days to amend their complaint, with the judge instructing that any amendment should name actual defendants and be based on a good-faith, fact-based basis for personal jurisdiction. Despite this, the Tates’ legal team has appealed the ruling regarding the “John Doe” defendants.
The case is set to return to court next month, as the Tates continue their legal battle. Meanwhile, defendants like Nathan Pope are turning to crowdfunding to cover their legal expenses, anticipating a prolonged legal fight. “My opinion is a lot of this is just to harass and financially drain us,” Pope commented. “I expect them to draw this out as long as possible.”
The outcome of this appeal could set significant precedents concerning online defamation and jurisdictional reach in the digital age. As the legal proceedings continue, both sides prepare for the next chapter in this high-profile case.
