Rowan Hamilton (鈥�26) said she has seen Tate鈥檚 influence on the men in her community and his ideals are distorting perceptions of masculinity as a result.聽
鈥淎 lot of teenage boys or men believe that the way he’s operating is the truest way to be masculine and that’s what they should aim for,鈥� Hamilton said.
Designated Safeguarding Lead Belinda Nicholson said Tate鈥檚 popularity could stem from聽 his content that caters to a demographic of young men who may feel unheard in discussions surrounding mental health.
鈥淲e’ve done a good job in sort of acknowledging mental health for young girls and the pressure that young women are under, and young men are under that same pressure,鈥� Nicholson said.
Joseph Lindner (鈥�23) said a common belief is that Tate鈥檚 following is due to the persona of wealth and privilege that he projects.聽
鈥淎 lot of what he does is around having more money than knowing what to do with it,鈥澛� Lindner said. 鈥淧eople look up to being able to have that amount of wealth, that type of lifestyle, that you can do anything you want, whenever you want it. A lot of young adults and children will look at that and all aspire to be in that position where there’s no consequences for your actions.鈥�
In addition, Lindner said he attributes much of Tate鈥檚 widespread influence to his Hustler鈥檚 University program. On their website, describes itself as 鈥渁n online money-focused community providing education and coaching.鈥�
鈥淗e’s a very smart businessman and a very smart marketing agent,鈥� Lindner said. 鈥淪o, what he’s done with the program is one of the ways to make money is by taking a percentage cut of the joining fee to Hustler鈥檚 University if you’re the one who refers people.鈥�
Many of Tate鈥檚 fans have stood by his side throughout his legal issues as supporters rallied in Greece to chant in support, according to .
Hamilton said that his followers continue to support him because positive impacts of Tate on their own lives.
鈥淚 know that people who are defending him purely because of the ideas introduced, not the ways he personally acted,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淏ut I think if someone’s been arrested for something and they end up being prosecuted for it, there’s not much room for doubt.鈥�
Nicholson said much of the issue surrounding Tate results from the constant promotion of his content.
鈥淚t’s bite-sized, it’s short, it’s flashy,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淭he algorithm drives you into a real echo chamber.鈥�
Nicholson said Tate is merely a symptom of a larger issue concerning negative online influence.
鈥淗e’s not the first one, he won’t be the last,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淪o, how do we help young people? How do we give them the tools to navigate some of that? And how do we give young people the tools to engage with one another with humility and empathy in order to unpack some of this?鈥�
