Bombshell terrorism claim as the 'extremist radicalisation' of Australian boys by alleged rapist and men's rights activist Andrew Tate is called out by experts
- Tate is accused of rape and human trafficking
- Academics compare him to religious extremists
- READ MORE: Bring Andrew Tate to the UK for trial, demand 'victims'
Andrew Tate, the rape and human trafficking accused 'manfluencer' who was allowed to leave Romania for the US last week, has been compared to terrorists and religious extremists by Australian academics.
They also found Tate's attacks on boys and men who don't fit 'his very rigid interpretation of masculinity' are far more common than his sexist views on women.
Professor Steven Roberts and Dr Stephanie Wescott of Melbourne's Monash University analysed more than 2,200 posts by Tate on his website and the Telegram messaging platform from December 31, 2019 to January 9, 2024.
'The extremist radicalisation of boys and men by 'manfluencer' Andrew Tate shares concerning parallels to other forms of radicalisation, such as terrorist and religious extremism,' the study found.
The experts said their analysis showed that 'what might seem like innocuous or harmless 'self-improvement' content is a gateway to more dangerous misogynistic and extremist content.
Almost 90 per cent of the posts by Tate on his website and Telegram account focused 'on advancing particular projections of what he views as the ideal manifestation of manhood and masculinity,' the research found.
In these posts, the academics said: 'Tate positions his version of masculinity as something aspirational that will 'free' men by giving them money and power.
'This finding stands at odds with popular understanding of Tate's fixation on the place of women in society, which features in only 11 per cent of his website and Telegram content.'
Andrew Tate's attacks on boys and men who don't fit 'his very rigid interpretation of masculinity' are far more common than his sexist views on women, an Australian study has found. Tate is pictured centre
Andrew Tate (centre) speaks with the media as he and his brother Tristan (right) arrive at Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida, USA, on February 27 2025
Professor Roberts said the research proves the viral social media clips amplifying Tate's views don't accurately capture the most alarming aspects of his harmful commentary.
'What we see in these longer-form texts are Tate's unfiltered views and framing of masculinity, and is framed as 'self-help' content for men and boys to reach a superior version of themselves,' he said.
'The way Tate is manipulating boys and men to conform to this restrictive and narrow-minded interpretation of what a male should look and act like has the potential to be hugely damaging to culture and society in a wider sense.'
Professor Roberts said this was 'concerning because it is reminiscent of the kind of messaging that drives those who feel disenfranchised by their community to identify with and act out the teachings of fringe religious or political extremist groups'.
Dr Wescott, who researches the impact of Tate's 'manfluencing' on boys in Australian schools, said the analysis shows why the dangerous influence of Tate on boys and men needs to be addressed.
'Most people who see short clips of Andrew Tate and others like him would understandably think his focus is on misogyny and sexism,' she said.
'While that is undoubtedly part of their rhetoric, it shadows in comparison to the more nuanced attacks he wages against boys and men who he views as not subscribing to his very rigid interpretation of masculinity.
The lecturer added that what makes Tate's content appealing 'is that it's packaged as a self-improvement product with hateful themes subtly woven in.
'As with any form of extremism, this feel and appearance of non-threatening, non-radical and life-improving support is what makes it insidious, attractive and ultimately influential.'
Tate and his brother Tristan flew by private jet into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport last Thursday after a 12-hour flight from Europe.
Andrew Tate (right) waves as he leaves a court with his brother Tristan, in Bucharest, Romania
The brothers, who are joint US and UK nationals but lived near Romania's capital Bucharest, were arrested in 2022 on charges of human trafficking, sexual misconduct, money laundering and forming an organised crime group.
They have denied any wrongdoing.
They also face charges including accusations of rape and human trafficking in the UK, and a court in Bucharest has ruled that they can be extradited to Britain once a final decision is reached in their case in Romania.
Their lawyer said the 'primary' reason they feel safe to return to the US is that 'Donald Trump is the president'.
A police officer escorts Andrew Tate, left, handcuffed, from the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania on March 12, 2024
Speaking to reporters outside the airport, Andrew Tate said: 'We live in a democratic society where we are innocent until proven guilty and I think me and my brother are largely misunderstood.
'There are a lot of opinions about us. A lot of things that go around about us on the internet.'
British women accusing Andrew Tate of rape said they are 'in disbelief' and 'feel retraumatised by the news that the Romanian authorities have given into pressure from the Trump administration' and allowed him to travel.
'We can only hope that the British authorities finally take action and do something about this terrifying unfolding situation to ensure he faces justice in the UK,' the women said in a joint statement to MailOnline.
