Andrew Tate, self-proclaimed Top G, receives criticism from both the Left and the Right. Is it deserved?

The controversial Tate brothers made headlines in 2022 when they were arrested in Romania under allegations of human trafficking. They are accused of being leaders of an organization that used the “lover boy” method to lure young girls to produce TikTok videos for profit. Although some of the alleged victims have stated they are not victims, Andrew and his brother Tristan were thrown into a Romanian jail cell in December 2022 and later placed on house arrest.

Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer who now spends his time teaching young men how to break free from the “matrix” through managing their masculinity, becoming physically strong, and becoming financially free. Tate’s controversy comes from his luxurious lifestyle and his strong convictions around masculinity.

The Left labels Tate misogynistic and the Right says he leads young men astray. Yet young men and boys worldwide love Andrew Tate. In a time when young men desperately need a male figure to tell them that their masculinity is not toxic, that’s hardly surprising.

Tate recently interviewed with Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. In his interview with Tucker, Tate spoke of the dangers of emasculated men, the hoax that climate change is, and the charges brought against him. Many on the Right were angry that Tucker would give an alleged human trafficker a platform to speak.

In his interview with Owens, Tate talked about his former webcam business, gender ideology, and the importance of religion. Again, many on the Right were upset that Candace would give an alleged human trafficker a platform to speak. In this interview, he said he’s pro-life and that he is deeply embarrassed of his former atheistic views — after converting to Islam.

Many believe that Tate’s message to young men is dangerous, and that he should not be allowed to influence young men. In his interview with Owens, Tate argued that he can influence young men because he understands hardship and he knows how to speak to disenfranchised young men because he has been in their shoes. There’s no question he has a connection.

Influencers on the Right who criticize Tate’s influence on young men tend to come from comfortable backgrounds. Although well-intentioned, a man from a comfortable background can’t always resonate with a young man who came from the roughest areas in their city. It takes a man who has been through rough patches in life — sometimes of his own doing — to help young men from similar backgrounds. Some may not like Tate or understand him, but he’s reaching a big audience.