A collection of sports cars, 10.7 million followers on the social media platform X and luxury private jet travels: Andrew Tate is a star in the United Kingdom and in many English-speaking countries. However, this former kickboxing fighter who appeared on reality TV is also – and especially – known for his violently masculinist rhetoric and legal troubles.

Along with his brother Tristan, he is facing several legal complaints, mainly in Romania, for rape, sexual assault and pimping. In the UK, advocacy groups and public authorities are concerned about the influence he might have on some young people. His name is even briefly mentioned in the Netflix series Adolescence, which deals with a case of femicide and has been available since March 13.

Who are Tate's fans? Why does this man, who claims that women are the "property" of their partners and that they should not drive, who says depression does not exist and who justifies domestic violence, enjoy such significant success?

'Normalized misogyny'

To understand this, one must turn to the UK. Tate is known worldwide but enjoys a particular popularity in his home country, especially among young men and boys.

In the UK, a YouGov survey reported in 2023 that 80% of men under 40 were familiar with him and 40% of them agreed with his positions. However, they were more likely to share his views on work and masculinity than on women. Among children, one quarter of boys aged 13 to 15 had a "positive view" of him. A report by the organization Internet Matters highlighted that he also enjoyed some success among young fathers.

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