Trump Lawyer Alina Habba Praises Andrew Tate, Sparking MAGA Backlash

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Alina Habba, a prominent attorney for former President Donald Trump, has drawn criticism from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro after praising controversial influencer Andrew Tate during an interview on The Benny Show. Habba, who is set to serve as counselor to Trump in a potential second term, compared Tate’s legal battles to those faced by Trump, calling for an end to “being wimps” in the face of establishment challenges.

Habba’s comments came just days after a Romanian court lifted Tate’s house arrest, though he remains under investigation for charges including human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and money laundering. Tate has denied all allegations. “I think that your anger is the same that President Trump has for our country,” Habba told Tate during the interview, adding that she sympathizes with his situation.

Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative voice, quickly condemned the interview, urging the MAGA movement to distance itself from Tate. In a 24-minute episode of his show, Shapiro called Tate a “crap sandwich” and accused him of being a “con artist” who profits from exploiting women. “Andrew Tate is at best a crap sandwich. He presents totally differently to different audiences,” Shapiro said, criticizing Tate’s shifting personas and alleged misconduct.

Tate, a former kickboxer with dual U.S. and British citizenship, has been a polarizing figure online, known for his inflammatory rhetoric and legal troubles. Alongside his brother Tristan, Tate faces multiple charges in Romania, where prosecutors allege he ran an organized criminal group involved in human trafficking. A Romanian court recently ruled that Tate can travel freely within the country but must report to police regularly and cannot contact other suspects or witnesses in his case.

Habba, who has not publicly responded to Shapiro’s criticism, has become a key figure in Trump’s inner circle. Her law firm, Habba Madaio & Associates, is located near Trump’s Bedminster golf club, where she reportedly first connected with the former president. During the 2024 campaign, Habba emerged as a staunch defender of Trump, frequently appearing at rallies and on television.

The controversy highlights divisions within the conservative movement over figures like Tate, whose legal troubles and inflammatory statements have made him a lightning rod for criticism. While some, like Habba, see him as a fighter against the establishment, others, like Shapiro, view him as a liability. As Tate’s legal battles continue, his relationship with Trump’s allies remains uncertain.