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The arrest of misogynist influencer Andrew Tate

Andrew Tate, the controversial influencer and self-declared misogynist, was arrested last week on human trafficking charges. We examine his rapid rise to fame, and what it means that a man known as the “king of toxic masculinity” could gain so much fame and influence.
Andrew Tate is escorted by police after his arrest.
Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are escorted by police officers outside the headquarters of the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism in Bucharest (DIICOT) after being detained for 24 hours, in Bucharest, Romania, December 29, 2022. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS (Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea/Reuters)

Andrew Tate, the controversial influencer and self-declared misogynist, was arrested on Thursday in Romania on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organized crime group.

Depending on your social circles — and your algorithms — you may not have heard of Andrew Tate before. But he has quickly risen from relative obscurity to become one of the most-discussed people on social media. His controversial video clips, including some where he describes hitting and choking women, have been viewed billions of times.

Today, we dive into the story of Andrew Tate: who he is, his arrest, and what it means that a man known as the "king of toxic masculinity" could gain so much fame and influence.