RIP TOP G: Rhetoric, Response, and Realities Surrounding the Social Media Ban of Andrew Tate

Smith, C. R., Brammer, S. E., Joshua Cloudy, Essary, C., & Perez, C., “RIP TOP G: Rhetoric, Response, and Realities Surrounding the Social Media Ban of Andrew Tate,” Violence Against Women, forthcoming.

Abstract: This study explores the rhetoric used by Andrew Tate, known as a ‘misogyny influencer’, and its impact on his followers. Tate released a vlog in response to his ban from social media. This vlog was analyzed along with his followers’ comments (n = 300) on the video. Through hegemonic masculinity and social identity frameworks, we offer a thematic analysis of Tate’s rhetoric. Results contribute to the growing body of literature on online manospheric communities and why followers may be drawn to Tate’s leadership styles. Findings also extend literature regarding themes that may appear in other radicalized spaces.