Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate arrive, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The brothers were charged with human trafficking in Romania and arrived in the U.S. after authorities lifted travel restrictions. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Andrew Tate, and his brother Tristan, have made a lot of headlines in recent weeks with their departure from Romania, arrival in Florida, and appearance at a recent UFC event–but why all the uproar? Who are they, and why does the conservative movement seem so divided over them?
Andrew Tate is a former kickboxer-turned-cultural influencer. His brother is in many ways just along for the ride. Tate made waves over the last several years through appearances on a variety of podcasts and online shows with a message that primarily speaks to young men. The most circulated clips of Andrew Tate typically revolve around women or money. Books could be filled with his controversial statements, opinions, and actions, and sites like the BBC and The Christian Post have documented this well, so we will not delve too deep into the uncomfortable details.
The Tate brothers have been on a three-year legal escapade in their residential nation of Romania, facing allegations of rape, organized crime, and human trafficking. Tate originally cited Romania’s lax laws regarding sexual assault as a reason for his move there from the United Kingdom.
What Tate teaches
A lot of Tate’s appeal comes from challenging his audience to make more money through a rigorously independent life, avoiding cumbersome relationships, time-consuming hobbies like video games, and other attachments, like food.
He is anti-marriage and is instead a major proponent of hook-up culture, suggesting that the number of women a man has been with correlates to his personal worth and masculinity. As one might imagine, this quickly devolves into oppressive and misogynistic speech (and actions) toward women. Tate wears the title ‘sexist’ as a badge, claiming it is proof that he is rooted in reality, as opposed to living in ‘the matrix.’Tate offers a playbook, which young men have been keen on adopting, in order to ascend to ‘alpha male’ status through riches and women.
The political right does not have a unified approach to handling Tate, as evidenced by responses to the warm welcome that Dana White, a Trump friend and ally, gave the Tate brothers at UFC Power Slap 12 on Friday night. Tate has become a demarcating line between those on the right who are willing to sacrifice reputation and respect for the sake of the culture war, and those who recognize that Tate does not resemble genuine conservatism with regard to finances, sexuality, or equality.
Major figures, like Dana White, Donald Trump, Jr., and the Hodge Twins have intentionally associated with him upon his stateside arrival. Meanwhile, the right-wing media giant, The Daily Wire, as well as the likes of Megyn Kelly and Florida Governor Desantis have been very outspoken against Tate. Tate is an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, but the President has declined to make any statement that indicates his opinion of the Tate brothers, stating upon their February arrival in Florida, “I know nothing about that.”
Why it matters
There is also pastoral concern regarding how much of the Tates’ influence and understanding of masculinity might be creeping into church pews.
Young men have been disregarded by the culture over the last decade or two. Men between the ages of 18 and 29 have continually increasing rates of depression, and the well-documented male loneliness epidemic affects Gen-Z men the most. They are looking for something to be a part of rather than rejected from. Andrew Tate, unfortunately, offers that. From their perspective, here’s a man who has it financially figured out and seems to be fulfilled without ever having to be “tied down” to a 9 to 5 or a family.
The church should be the source of structure and acceptance for these isolated young men, finding fulfillment in a Christ-centered life—one defined by self-sacrifice rather than indulgence in greed and lust. A biblical worldview recognizes the power of a godly, lasting marriage, and therefore the sacredness of sex. Believers cannot afford to compromise with the culture on sexual immorality. Similarly, the Bible provides great clarity on the pitfalls of chasing money. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matt. 6:24 ESV).
Money is a god of our culture, much like sex. Rather than chasing the next dollar or the next relationship, Scripture teaches contentment and trust in the Lord: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:4-5 ESV).
Biblical contentment has no home in the message or following of Andrew Tate. As Conner and Micah discussed on this week’s Culture Brief, Tate’s divergence from these biblical truths is why he claimed to leave Christianity for Islam.
As such, Christians would do well to holistically reject him and his teachings, even if he shares similar enemies (or even similar friends) to the conservative Christian faction. Letting any worldly perspective take root in our churches is destructive and it is always important to be aware and reminded of this. So often, Christians only look for the threats that come from a progressive worldview. In doing so, we risk other threats, like this one, sneaking in the back door.
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