With his videos collectively surpassing billions of views, Andrew Tate is one of the most influential figures on TikTok.
He says he’s turning boys into men. In reality, he’s teaching boys and young men that it’s ok to be violent towards, and controlling of, women.
Tate is a former Big Brother UK contestant and a kickboxer turned content creator. Videos of him have been viewed 11.6 billion times. He has 3.4 million Instagram followers and 1.4 million TikTok followers.
He believes women who have been raped “must bear some responsibility” and says he likes Donald Trump because he is “grabbin’ bitches by the pussy”.
“Sexual harassment is disgusting and inexcusable. However, a man looking at you or whistling at you or asking your name isn’t harassment,” he said in one tweet in 2017, as reported by The Metro.
“Women have been exchanging sex for opportunity for a very long time. Some did this. Weren’t abused. […] If you put yourself in a position to be raped, you must bare some responsibility.”
In various videos, Tate has said women “can’t drive” and are a “man’s property”. He also says he only dates women who are 18 or 19 years old because they are young enough for him to “imprint” on them.
Tate has also made viral appearances on multiple podcasts where he has discussed his views.
Back in 2016, Tate was removed as a contestant on Big Brother in the UK when a video emerged of him hitting a woman with a belt. Another video showed him telling her to count her bruises. At the time, he said the clips showed a consensual activity.
Last month, Tate’s name was searched on Google more times than Kim Kardashian or Donald Trump.
In a YouTube video that has since been deleted, Tate said one of the reasons he moved to Romania was because it’s easier to get off sexual assault charges there. In a video, he explained it was “probably 40 per cent of the reason” he moved there.
This year, he has been investigated by Romanian police for alleged human trafficking, after a woman was reported to be held at his home against her will.
If his social media influence wasn’t already enough, Tate also engages young men in courses in “modern wealth creation” at his online “Hustler’s University”.
@sneaktate All the feminists will hate this video 😏 #andrewtate #hustlersuniversity #festival #feminism #cheating #masculine ♬ Polozhenie – Izzamuzzic Remix – Скриптонит
Videos of Tate have exploded in popularity on TikTok recently, with the algorithm helping to spread his deliberately controversial comments. That’s despite many of his videos violating the platform’s own community guidelines.
There are now growing calls for social media platforms like TiKTok to take responsibility for the spread of Tate’s misogynistic messaging. While TikTok has removed some videos of Tate, it often happens after they have already gone viral, amassing millions of views. And there are many videos of Tate that still remain.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.