Andrew Tate, the Social Media Prankster
When it comes to social media, you cannot deny that Twitter and Instagram are two of the most popular platforms. However, in a sea of selfies and snarky comments, one social media star has stood out from the pack. That star is Andrew Tate, an American-British millionaire who has gained notoriety due to his social media presence. The prankster has racked up millions of followers on both platforms and has been a source of some controversy.
According to reports, Tate has been living in Romania since last year. Prosecutors say they have seized over 10 properties belonging to the Tate fam. They have also charged the star with human trafficking and rape. As of Friday, the star was clinging to a bail of a mere $700,000 and could face a maximum 180 days in prison. A court of appeal is expected to issue a verdict later Tuesday.
Tate is no stranger to the law. He was investigated by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in the 1960s, and was charged with human trafficking in 2006. He was also accused of spreading a slew of racist and misogynist messages. In a related news story, Tate’s brother, Michael, was arrested on Wednesday and accused of having ties to an organised crime syndicate. Both are currently on probation and may be deported if prosecutors find their actions merited such a harsh sanction.
It’s not surprising that Tate has amassed a Twitter and Instagram following, with the latter boasting 4 million followers. His YouTube channel, TateSpeech, boasted more than 744,000 subscribers. Even though his content has been flagged as violating platform rules, it’s hard to deny that his vids have gained in popularity. Some users claim that they have been served by his wacky clips. Others claim they have been duped into watching a gimmick video and subsequently have been left feeling unsatisfied.
The aforementioned twitter and Instagram bans are a blow to the young star’s social media savvy. It’s a shame, because these platforms are often a democratising force. Regardless of how much or little you use them, they can be a powerful tool to spread information. Several sites have vowed to improve their policies and procedures. One troll-averse site, TikTok, recently released a statement confirming the company has permanently banned Tate’s account. While it’s unclear whether or not the company will continue to do so, it’s certainly a sign that the aforementioned social media stars aren’t destined for a happy ending.
Besides the aforementioned Twitter and Instagram bans, Tate has also been slapped with a variety of other social media punishments. While the Tate fam has enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in the past, the media is abuzz with reports of his latest crimes. Many believe Tate is being blackmailed by a crooked lawyer, while others speculate that he was the victim of mental coercion.
The big question is whether or not Tate can recover from his latest mishaps. Perhaps the best course of action is to keep a low profile.
