Andrew Tate - Another Internet Asshole

TW – Talk of violence against women and sexual assault.

I’m sure by now you’ve heard of Andrew Tate. Whether you’ve seen clips of him speaking on TikTok or photos of him on a yacht, he’s become one of the most talked about names. In July alone, he received more google searches than any Kardashian – and that’s clearly saying something.

What many tend to forget is his extremely problematic past. A past which he shows no signs of leaving behind, continuing to be ‘controversial.’ Most of this controversy is straight up racism, islamophobia and sexism, something people overlook. Instead, they focus on his entrepreneurial mindset, idolising him and his business tactics.

Now what we seem to forget, is just how harmful supporting this man is.

Andrew Tate is not just another online misogynist, creating ‘edgy’ content for views, he's been under investigation for sex trafficking and rape. Thousands of videos show him talking about abusing women, victim-blaming, referring to women as 'property' and talking about how he prefers dating 18–19-year-old women as it's easier to ‘leave an impression on them’.

In the past, he has used several offensive slurs, offending many Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. He has consistently used Twitter to not only make racist remarks, but also countless harmful statements.

“If you put yourself in a position to be raped, you must bear some responsibility. I’m not saying it’s ok you got raped… no woman should be abused regardless. However, with sexual assault they want to put zero blame on the victim whatsoever.”

Not only does victim blaming promote rape culture, but Andrew really believes that victims are responsible for their abuse.

The influencer has denied countless rape allegations. His fans argue that there isn’t enough evidence, yet he himself said “40% of the reason” he moved to Romania was because it was easier to evade rape charges. “I’m not a rapist, but I like the idea of just being able to do what I want. I like being free.”

This sadly makes the allegations unsurprising. When discussing Romania, he stated, “There’s no feminists, there’s no open homosexuality. No homosexual agenda. No feminists. It’s corrupt, which suits me because I’m f*cking rich.”

In April, Tate's home in Romania was raided due to human trafficking and rape charges. There was never any clear verdict, yet we must remember his motivations for wanting to move in the first place. He was also arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and physical abuse in 2015 when he and his brother were running an online sex enterprise.

Two women told VICE World News they were violently abused and raped after being manipulated into the webcam business. Police stated multiple women were allegedly “sexually exploited” by an “organised criminal group” that “recruited” victims via false affection. The exploitation forcing women to perform pornographic content via “physical violence and mental coercion.”

Since then, he and his brother have recently been arrested and held in custody in Romania at least until the end of January as part of a rape and human trafficking investigation. He has previously denied all allegations, yet the continuous claims of sexual abuse and human trafficking say otherwise.

Only around 5% of accusations are false - hence why we ‘believe’ women.

Andrew’s traditional views surrounding women are worrying, for many reasons. He has said that women “belong in the home” and that they are a “man’s property.” He has also explained that if a man cheats on his girlfriend, it doesn’t count, but if the woman did the same, it would be cheating. The concept of equality is clearly lost to this man. In a video, he also explains how he would attack a woman if she accused him of cheating. 'It's bang out the machete, boom in her face and grip her by the neck. Shut up b*tch.”

In 2016, Tate appeared on Big Brother UK, however he was removed after a video emerged of him violently attacking a woman with a belt as well as verbally abusing her. He tried to justify this by saying the actions in the video were consensual yet this woman in the video never confirmed this. In the past, he had been held in jail for abusing a woman, so his history of violence towards women makes his justification hard to believe.

Before Andrew’s minions try and defend him somehow, these are his exact words, “I will state right now that I am absolutely sexist, I am absolutely a misogynist and I have f*ck you money so I’ll say what I want.”

In an interview in 2022, his relations to far-right extremists were confirmed, “If you look at Tommy Robinson, he is doing his very best to protect England from Islamisation.” Since, he has claimed to be reverting to Islam, something entirely tone-deaf considering his history of islamophobia and relationships with far-right activists. Tommy Robinson (a Nazi, far-right EDL leader) has repeatedly shown his support for Andrew. Unsurprising.

He also taunted a father of a son with cerebral palsy, “Do you feel like a failure that the amount you need to help your own son is less than a quarter than I spend on one of my 5 cars?”

Bear in mind, these are only a few of the problematic things he has done.

Whether his behaviour is an act, or not, giving someone like Andrew a platform means more people are exposed to his views. This continues to promote violence against women and racist agendas. TikTok videos of him alone have accumulated over 11.6 billion views, meaning young impressionable boys fall prey to his ideas. In the occasional video that doesn't show him in the middle of sexist rampage, he's smoking cigars, flying on private jets and driving fast cars. This appealing lifestyle makes youths idolise him, therefore subconsciously consuming his views.

Whilst many find his views outrageous, those who condone his behaviour avidly do so, working hard to foster this agenda. If you are giving into this man, whether it be to support or despise him, you are giving him what he wants. A platform. Therefore, others are exposed to his views, meaning more will agree. It’s a never-ending cycle. Allowing his name to circulate continues to encourage his ideas, whether you realise it or not.

Tate’s loyal fans are men as young as 13, recruited via his program, ‘Hustler’s University’. A cult-like system that teaches crypto-investing and entrepreneurial skills. He demands members ‘prove themselves’ as men, by following his sexist ways, loosely turning those who idolise him into potential abusers.

He is known for selling online courses, teaching young men ‘the secrets to modern wealth creation’ as well as, ‘Pimpin’ Hoes Degree’ explaining how to manipulate women into webcam work.

There’s no denying his intelligence. He has observed the worries and internalised hate within young men, taking advantage of their concerns, using them to promote his detrimental views. Especially society becoming so progressive, some men may subconsciously feel that their masculinity is threatened. That’s where Tate steps in – making the vulnerable feel validated, latching onto distinct young, male anger.

His online reputation has fostered an atmosphere where more sexist men can flourish. What they see as ‘alpha male’ energy is simply incel culture. We are seeing a rise in men who genuinely believe these ideas. - that women are property and deserve to be treated accordingly.

Doesn’t that scare you?

After everything this man has said and done, you still believe the accusations against him are false? Especially when there have been countless claims. After everything this man has said and done, you still allow him a platform? Especially when he is a direct threat to not just women, but everyone?

Perhaps when people realise he is also a risk to young men, it will be taken seriously, because clearly the distinct danger to women was not bad enough.

Andrew does not only promote rape culture, but he also enables it. With the objectification of women’s bodies, the glorification of sexual violence and general misogyny, the idea of rape culture is upheld. This then allowing society to disregard the safety of women, so more sexual assault cases become invalidated and ignored. UN Women UK found that 97% of women between the age of 18-24 have been sexually harassed in some way. The sad truth is, 96% of them go unreported due to the consistent disregard surrounding these situations.

Whilst writing this, Andrew and his brother are in jail meaning worrying news and content is continuing to be released. More women are stepping forward, sharing their experiences with the man. Voice notes were sent to VICE where you can hear Andrew clarify what a dangerous individual he is.

Tate sent the woman a voice-note where he admits to raping her, “Am I a bad person? Because the more you didn’t like it, the more I enjoyed it. I f*cking loved how much you hated it. It turned me on. Why am I like that? Why?” He continued, “I am one of the most dangerous men on the planet… I’m the smartest person on this f*cking planet, are you seriously so offended that I strangled you a little bit.”

How are women supposed to feel safe, knowing they are amongst those who advocate for someone like him?

If you are even slightly divided regarding your feelings to this man, you are part of the problem. How can you even slightly consider the idea that Tate is anything but a criminal?

On the other hand, we can’t just blame Tate solely for the rise in misogyny. The owners of social media platforms are profiting from the content shared. The videos of Andrew continue to go viral, allowing the rich to get richer. This is evident in how many platforms still allow matter regarding Tate to be posted. We must hold all parties accountable: those who post / interact with said content, Andrew Tate himself and those who control the media platforms, allowing such harmful posts.

Men like Andrew Tate continue to make the world unsafe for women. In the UK alone, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence. With him continuing to make harmful comments, we can expect an increase in these crimes, impressionable men seeing this behaviour as ‘masculine.’ Last year, almost two in five murders in Australia were related to domestic violence.

When statistics show just how dangerous the world is becoming for women, why are we allowing such misogynistic beliefs to be endorsed?

Andrew Tate clings onto the vulnerability that young men feel, especially in such a feminist world. That sense of emasculation, mixed with hormones fuel this love for him. The ‘strong alpha male’ personality and luxury lifestyle, subconsciously associate these things as positives. They then are subject to his misogynistic views as they start to consume his content. This produces men, programmed to think like an abuser, creating a new wave of ‘incels’. These young people are vulnerable and cling onto anything that makes them feel more ‘mature’ or ‘manly’.

Discussing the dangers of Tate as well as the rising violence towards women will help people to see a little clearer. Only then we can begin to distinguish the difference between being a successful entrepreneur and his views regarding women.

To fully tackle the pandemic that is the rise in misogyny, we must hold not only ourselves and those around us accountable. We must allow young men to discuss their views on Andrew, helping them to deconstruct these ideologies. Seeing more men (especially those they may look up to) stick up for women will allow the vulnerable to notice that it’s not only women ranting about this man. People like them, also agree.

We have seen men like this before. We don't need a documentary in a few years about we should've known better than to let Andrew Tate become so notorious. We must do better to assure the world is a safer place for women. After all, you wouldn’t be here without them.