Guy Fieri and Andrew and Tristan Tate controversy: Here’s what to know

Alabama Life & CultureGuy Fieri found himself in a controversy involving brothers Tristan and Andrew Tate. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)Variety via Getty ImagesBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comAndrew and Tristan Tate are currently being held in prison as they face nearly 60 combined charges — including rape and human trafficking — in the United Kingdom and Romania. But the brothers were out and about earlier this year, and an interaction that they had with Guy Fieri at UFC 327 in Miami in April was a bad look for the “Mayor of Flavortown.”Fieri was photographed smiling and cozying up to the brothers at the event, and many of his fans did not like what they saw.Guy Fieri took to social media recently to claim that he was “devastated” by fan reaction to his interaction with controversial brothers Tristan and Andrew Tate at UFC 327 in Miami, and they let him have it on social media. In his response, the Food Network star claimed that he did not know who the Tate brothers were.But the Tate brothers’ lawyer, Joe McBride, told TMZ that was a lie. McBride told the outlet that Fieri “knew exactly” who the Tates were and claimed that Fieri was “pressured into pathetic capitulation.”TMZ reported that McBride added that Fieri “looks like a man who sits down to pee.”Aside from the accusations against them, the Tates are also known for their misogynistic views. Fieri clearly felt the blowback from fans on social media, prompting his statement.“I’m seeing all of your comments about the photo from (UFC 327) and all I can is that I’m devastated,” he wrote on X. “I was there to see the fights and when I was walking through the venue, Tate brothers stood up and said hello and that’s when the exchange happened. I did not know them or about them before the moment. “I’ll never pretend to be a perfect person but let me be crystal clear, I do not know the Tate brothers nor do I support them in any way.”Not all of his fans were buying it.“For a guy whose Food Network demo is 60-70% women (35-64), even younger for competition shows — you greeted Andrew Tate like an old friend: a banned misogynist charged with human trafficking & exploitation & a major Trump supporter (like you). Dind’t know him? The pic says it all.”“I always make this face when I totally don’t know who someone is, who is also under investigation for raping women,” another person replied with the photo of Fieri and Tate smiling at one another. Others condemned Fieri for apologizing. “This is a very cowardly response for taking a photo with no no people, flavor man,” one person replied. “Never apologize, Guy,” Buzz Patterson replied. “You were just being a nice guy. Don’t bow to those idiots.”Video from the event, shared on social media, showed Fieri leaning over a railing to shake hands and bump shoulders with Andrew, and they all appeared to be sharing smiles and having a quick discussion.Fieri’s fans attacked him on social media over the interaction. “@GuyFieri you’re pathetic,” Live Era Snug wrote on X. “@GuyFieri friendly with alleged rapists … great …” Leslie Marshall wrote on X. “@jettila I’m hoping you win because after next week, I’m not watching anymore,” another person wrote on X commenting on a promo for one of Fieri’s shows while sharing a photo of him talking to Andrew Tate. “Love you, you deserve it!!! When this loser continues to hang out with sex traffickers, pedophiles & evil racists, he is showing us who he really is. I should have belibelievedthe first time.”“How is @FoodNetwork ok with this?!?” Maya Chamberlain wrote on X. “Look at how happy they are to be reunited! Please keep children away from @GuyFieri.”“Instead of Flavor Town, go to Hell @GuyFieri,” another wrote. “This is gross.”Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...