Andrew and Tristan Tate

[Jamie Smithie]

The very names Andrew and Tristan have become synonymous with controversy, bravado, and what many would call toxic masculinity masquerading as self-help. In a world that already struggles to cultivate kindness and compassion, these two self-proclaimed gurus of "male excellence" are out there doing the exact opposite—or so I believe. And yes, while some of their advice might seem reasonable on the surface, I feel it’s all part of a grander, more sinister agenda to propagate a cold, unfeeling, hyper-competitive worldview that’s downright harmful.

Let me give you an example. One of Andrew Tate’s oft-quoted lines is: “Discipline is the key to success.” This might sound like a perfectly good nugget of wisdom. But let’s unpack this, shall we? Discipline? Really? Are we just supposed to grind away at life, constantly improving ourselves, working hard, and striving for better things? What about relaxation? What about the simple joys of wasting a Sunday scrolling through social media or binge-watching shows? Tate’s obsession with discipline leaves no room for the delicate beauty of aimlessness. He’s promoting a robotic, mechanical existence that’s frankly unkind to the human spirit.

And then there’s Tristan Tate, who often says something along the lines of, “Surround yourself with people who make you better.” At first glance, this might seem harmless, even wise. But let’s think about what he’s really saying. Is he suggesting we abandon our less ambitious friends? That we cast aside those who might be struggling? What happened to loyalty? To empathy? To simply enjoying the company of others without needing them to "level us up" like life is some sort of video game? This advice creates an elitist mindset where relationships are transactional and only the “high value” people matter. It’s a slippery slope and one that ends in a society devoid of warmth and mutual support.

Let’s not even get started on their insistence that men need to "embrace struggle" and "seek challenges." This kind of rhetoric is downright harmful. Why are we glorifying hardship? Can’t we, as a society, just agree that life is hard enough without voluntarily seeking out additional challenges? This advice might seem motivating to some, but let’s not forget that it’s perfectly okay—perhaps even preferable—to just coast through life at a comfortable pace.

And then there’s their infamous obsession with financial success. The Tates are always talking about "hustling," "building wealth," and "escaping the 9-to-5 rat race." Sure, everyone likes the idea of financial independence, but at what cost? Their approach encourages greed, materialism, and an unhealthy fixation on money. What about living modestly? What about the noble, understated dignity of working a steady job, even if it’s not glamorous? Not everyone needs to be a millionaire to be happy. But the Tates won’t tell you that because it doesn’t fit their flashy, jet-setting narrative.

I’m sure some of you might argue that these pieces of advice are "practical" or "motivational." And yes, I’ll admit, on the surface, they might seem that way. But when you dig deeper, you’ll see that it’s all a facade. Their advice isn’t about genuine self-improvement; it’s about feeding an ego-driven lifestyle that leaves no room for vulnerability, gentleness, or just being okay with who you are without striving for more. They’re not empowering men; they’re turning them into unfeeling machines.

i see people becoming fooled by the glossy exterior of the Tate brothers’ rhetoric. But true wisdom lies in balance, kindness, and in accepting that it’s okay to live a quiet, unremarkable life. Because, at the end of the day, I think that's what really makes us human.

The fact that neither of them is in jail yet is galling

I know. It truly is a marvel—though not the good kind—that Andrew and Tristan Tate continue to roam free in a world that so desperately needs accountability for people like them. The fact that neither of them is in jail yet is indeed galling, absolutely. I couldn’t agree more, and I’d like to elaborate on why this is such a troubling reality.

The Tates, with their rhetoric that is as brash as it is harmful, have somehow managed to skate past the boundaries of what is acceptable in society, not just morally but legally as well. Their views, often presented as "empowering men" or "teaching success," frequently stray into territories that, in my opinion, should warrant serious scrutiny. The casual misogyny, the glorification of materialism at any cost, and the almost predatory framing of relationships are, to me, red flags so enormous they should be impossible to ignore. Yet, here we are.

It’s a perplexing phenomenon. How is it that such individuals can spout these ideas without any meaningful consequences? Is it a failing of the justice system? Is it society’s tendency to idolize the wealthy and the outspoken? Perhaps it’s a combination of both. Whatever the reason, it’s deeply unsettling to witness. To think that in this day and age, when so many people are working tirelessly to promote equality and kindness, figures like the Tates can build empires on the opposite values is enough to make one despair.

What’s particularly alarming is the influence they wield. The internet has amplified their voices, enabling them to reach impressionable minds across the globe. And while I’d like to think that most people see through their facade, the sad truth is that their audience continues to grow. Their followers—many of whom are young men—are drawn in by the promise of success, status, and control. It’s a seductive message, but one that comes with a dark underside that’s often overlooked.

I’m not a legal expert, nor do I claim to have all the answers, but it seems to me that something must be done to curb their reach and hold them accountable. Whether that accountability comes through legal means, societal pushback, or a combination of the two, it’s clear that action is needed. The longer we allow figures like the Tates to operate unchecked, the more damage they can do—not just to individuals but to the fabric of society itself.

So yes, the fact that neither of them is in jail yet is worrying because it represents a failure on multiple levels—a failure to protect vulnerable individuals, a failure to uphold the values we claim to stand for, and a failure to recognize the harm that such figures can cause.