December 30, 2022 - 4:30pm
Seeing Andrew Tate sent to jail as part of a convoluted story involving sex trafficking, Greta Thunberg and pizza would have been the perfect way to close out 2022. Alas, it seems not to be true, at least not entirely.
It is true that Thunberg has been swapping jibes with the British-American former kickboxer and Internet personality on Twitter this week — he boasted about his many cars, she accused him of having a small penis — and that on Wednesday Tate posted a video in response in which he was dressed in a bathrobe and smoking a cigar with a box of pizza in front of him. Gleeful internet sleuths have suggested that it was the branding on the pizza box that allowed Romanian authorities to locate Tate in Bucharest and take him into custody last night on suspicion of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group alongside his brother Tristan. The siblings have been under criminal investigation in Romania since April.
Although the pizza box detail may be too good to be true, Tate’s detainment is still a remarkable news event. This is a man who has cultivated a public persona as a misogynistic gangster, and whose recent rise to fame has been enabled by his wit, good looks, and his apparent wealth — wealth that, it now turns out, may have been generated by trafficking women into the sex industry. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that what looked so much like a LARP may not have been a LARP after all. In the words of Oprah, “When people show you who they are, believe them!”
Although this may spell the end for Tate as a public figure, this will not be the end of the wider phenomenon of which he is a part. The Great Awokening has produced a widespread desire for irreverent, anti-woke content. This is particularly true among young men, who are both significantly more Right-wing than their female peers and also legitimately unhappy about their grim economic prospects. Tate is not the only figure offering such content, but he is one of the most compelling. And unlike, for instance, Jordan Peterson, Tate is explicitly anti-Christian, which makes him even more counter-cultural.
And yet, on one point in particular, Tate is very much running with the cultural grain: just like everyone else in the contemporary West, he is obsessed with gender. The mass entry of women into public life in the second half of the twentieth century, and the consequent blurring of socioeconomic gender roles, has not led to the withering away of masculine and feminine archetypes. Rather, our culture now encourages us to constantly probe at our gender identities, playing with and worrying over the different elements of masculinity and femininity, then mixing and matching those we like best.
The trans activism movement is the purest expression of this trend, but it is also to be found elsewhere on the political spectrum. “Male-to-male transsexual” is a term to which I was recently introduced by the UnHerd writer Katherine Dee, and which describes Tate perfectly, since he has deliberately undergone a transition (albeit not a medical one) to become a hyper-masculine caricature.
Importantly, this masculine role that he craves is a strangely modern one, since it cuts away so much of what constitutes historic manhood. Traditional masculine and feminine roles contain both privileges and obligations: for instance the protective principle of ‘women and children first’ comes with the expectation that women will perform caring and domestic work, while the status conferred on male warriors is conditional on physical self-sacrifice. But Tate’s pick ’n’ mix gender narcissism is all about rights — to dominance, strength, and “bitches” — without any of the duties to family and community. He is unmarried, with an indeterminate number of children from various mothers, and claims he does not even pay his taxes in the UK.
While his detainment suggests that Tate’s thuggish misogyny is not in the least bit fake, there is still something distinctly artificial about his public persona. But it is an artificality that seems to scratch a cultural itch, and which is therefore unlikely to disappear with the man himself. As long as gender narcissism of every political flavour prevails, there will be plenty more Andrew Tates.
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Subscribe“Many players around the world regard Biden as senile, the Democrats as insane”
As an Englishman I will not presume to offer advice to the American electorate, but it is difficult to argue with this.
“Many players around the world regard Biden as senile, the Democrats as insane”
As an Englishman I will not presume to offer advice to the American electorate, but it is difficult to argue with this.
“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.” ― Joseph Stalin
Oft-quoted by extremists who believe elections are stolen routinely, everywhere. But Stalin was not referring to the United States, or any other constitutional democracy. He was referring to himself. He could say this confidently because he counted the votes.
Oft-quoted by extremists who believe elections are stolen routinely, everywhere. But Stalin was not referring to the United States, or any other constitutional democracy. He was referring to himself. He could say this confidently because he counted the votes.
“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.” ― Joseph Stalin
I give this poll, with no published data and more than 18 months before the election, zero per cent credibility.
You’re being way too generous.
You’re being way too generous.
I give this poll, with no published data and more than 18 months before the election, zero per cent credibility.
“since Trump’s got the experience, he knows how the swamp works and how to beat it,”
He may know how the swamp works but was unfortunately ineffective at reforming a thing. The swamp and its legacy media acolytes were after him from day one. He was a lightning rod to them. I think DeSantis could get more things done.
“since Trump’s got the experience, he knows how the swamp works and how to beat it,”
He may know how the swamp works but was unfortunately ineffective at reforming a thing. The swamp and its legacy media acolytes were after him from day one. He was a lightning rod to them. I think DeSantis could get more things done.
I disagree completely with this assertion. It is difficult for me to imagine a scenario where Trump is able to beat any Democrat, except maybe AOC. She’s shrill and unapologetic wokeist who practically oozes the contempt for middle America that sunk Hillary’s campaign. She probably has nearly as many bad takes as Biden does without the excuse of senility. It’s doubtful the party would allow her to win the nomination. Anyone else Trump loses. Jan 6th was an important moment. Granted, the media and establishment blew it far out of proportion, but it still represented a step towards civil chaos, and when people stand alone in the voting booth, I’m betting many will choose their fear of civil chaos over their political views or whatever they think about the economy. Also, neither party is backing down on China. That’s a European pipe dream. The anti-China sentiment is at a much higher level here in the USA. It’s practically the only thing that voters and both parties agree on. Being ‘soft’ on China is politically toxic so of course both parties accuse the other of it. Biden has refused to lift the tariffs even in the face of inflation is because his party would pay a political price at the polls that they can’t really afford.
I have no doubt that some voters still view Jan 6 as an “attack on democracy”, or terrifying evidence of impending “civil chaos” as you put it.
Still, were this a widely-held view, one would have expected a less partisan committee; more damning evidence with no need for manipulation; and greater viewership and coverage of the committee.
But it is not so. Which suggests that those who find media reporting and the Biden administration’s stance on Jan 6, not to mention other matters, wholly persuasive were never likely to vote Republican anyway.
The media doesn’t report on it, but I see plenty of concern, as well as resentment, about the ongoing treatment of Jan 6 “rioters”, with fundraisers for them and their families taking place all over the country, despite the expected obstacles such as cancellation.
And, like it or not, don’t many other people react to Jan 6 with a shrug or a big yawn?
Let’s say Trump loses to DeSantis in the GOP primary. What does he have to do with Jan 6 on the minds of so many voters?
Your counterpoint is well taken. It is difficult to guess what’s in the mind of the average voter. Still, people will believe any lie if it’s repeated often enough and the media knows this. They’ve been planting seeds of fear since Jan 6th happened. I’m simply speculating that in many cases, these seeds will bear fruit. Then again perhaps their overreaction will be the more decisive factor. Either way, I think you’ll have to concede Trump has made many enemies and rubs a lot of voters the wrong way. He’s riding a wave of anti-establishment sentiment that frankly no longer needs him. He benefited in 2016 from being ‘the only game in town’ i.e. the only candidate who would dare challenge political orthodoxy. Now that he’s just one of several populist leaning candidates, his numerous personal failings are an important differentiating factor and he looks less electable than others.
Your counterpoint is well taken. It is difficult to guess what’s in the mind of the average voter. Still, people will believe any lie if it’s repeated often enough and the media knows this. They’ve been planting seeds of fear since Jan 6th happened. I’m simply speculating that in many cases, these seeds will bear fruit. Then again perhaps their overreaction will be the more decisive factor. Either way, I think you’ll have to concede Trump has made many enemies and rubs a lot of voters the wrong way. He’s riding a wave of anti-establishment sentiment that frankly no longer needs him. He benefited in 2016 from being ‘the only game in town’ i.e. the only candidate who would dare challenge political orthodoxy. Now that he’s just one of several populist leaning candidates, his numerous personal failings are an important differentiating factor and he looks less electable than others.
I have no doubt that some voters still view Jan 6 as an “attack on democracy”, or terrifying evidence of impending “civil chaos” as you put it.
Still, were this a widely-held view, one would have expected a less partisan committee; more damning evidence with no need for manipulation; and greater viewership and coverage of the committee.
But it is not so. Which suggests that those who find media reporting and the Biden administration’s stance on Jan 6, not to mention other matters, wholly persuasive were never likely to vote Republican anyway.
The media doesn’t report on it, but I see plenty of concern, as well as resentment, about the ongoing treatment of Jan 6 “rioters”, with fundraisers for them and their families taking place all over the country, despite the expected obstacles such as cancellation.
And, like it or not, don’t many other people react to Jan 6 with a shrug or a big yawn?
Let’s say Trump loses to DeSantis in the GOP primary. What does he have to do with Jan 6 on the minds of so many voters?
I disagree completely with this assertion. It is difficult for me to imagine a scenario where Trump is able to beat any Democrat, except maybe AOC. She’s shrill and unapologetic wokeist who practically oozes the contempt for middle America that sunk Hillary’s campaign. She probably has nearly as many bad takes as Biden does without the excuse of senility. It’s doubtful the party would allow her to win the nomination. Anyone else Trump loses. Jan 6th was an important moment. Granted, the media and establishment blew it far out of proportion, but it still represented a step towards civil chaos, and when people stand alone in the voting booth, I’m betting many will choose their fear of civil chaos over their political views or whatever they think about the economy. Also, neither party is backing down on China. That’s a European pipe dream. The anti-China sentiment is at a much higher level here in the USA. It’s practically the only thing that voters and both parties agree on. Being ‘soft’ on China is politically toxic so of course both parties accuse the other of it. Biden has refused to lift the tariffs even in the face of inflation is because his party would pay a political price at the polls that they can’t really afford.
Dominic Cummings is either smoking some mighty strong weed, or he is posturing. Quorsum? Trump will split the Republican vote, and the conservative vote ( two distinct but overlapping constituencies ) and hand the victory to the Democrats just as Ross Perot did once upon a time. Trump cannot win on his own questionable merits, but he can and will play the spoiler – vindictively. Even if the Republican Party finds a spine and nominates DeSantis or someone else, Trump will drag away enough votes to sink that candidacy. Mother Theresa will be revealed as a closet Nazi before Donald Trump will endorse another candidate. He hasn’t got enough class and he puts self ahead of country. So much for “polls”.
best prediction so far thanks !!
best prediction so far thanks !!
Dominic Cummings is either smoking some mighty strong weed, or he is posturing. Quorsum? Trump will split the Republican vote, and the conservative vote ( two distinct but overlapping constituencies ) and hand the victory to the Democrats just as Ross Perot did once upon a time. Trump cannot win on his own questionable merits, but he can and will play the spoiler – vindictively. Even if the Republican Party finds a spine and nominates DeSantis or someone else, Trump will drag away enough votes to sink that candidacy. Mother Theresa will be revealed as a closet Nazi before Donald Trump will endorse another candidate. He hasn’t got enough class and he puts self ahead of country. So much for “polls”.
Biden will get 82 million votes and win.
And the U.S. will have a real-live action movie like “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Waking Ned Devine”.
And the U.S. will have a real-live action movie like “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Waking Ned Devine”.
Biden will get 82 million votes and win.
Confirmed GOP donors are leaving DeSantis over his extreme positions on abortion and other issues. Abortion is still the main issue that manages to recruit moderate independents to the Democratic camp, Biden or no Biden. Look at what happened in Wisconsin. That’s not polling, that is voting!
This is a good point. I would only add this: DeSantis’ position on abortion is not extreme, unless you define a minority opinion of Americans as “moderate”. Most Americans want abortion restrictions, up to and including a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to life (as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence) to unborn children. What is extreme is the media, academia, and progressivist propaganda against the unborn.
In 1982, 1,900,000 Chicagoans voted in the mayoral race in that city, electing Harold Washington. In 2023, all of 450,000 people voted. Why such a massive decline in voter turnout? Yes, it was a runoff, but the numbers were way down in general election too. You say that’s voting; I say that’s not voting. Again, why so much not voting?
This is a good point. I would only add this: DeSantis’ position on abortion is not extreme, unless you define a minority opinion of Americans as “moderate”. Most Americans want abortion restrictions, up to and including a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to life (as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence) to unborn children. What is extreme is the media, academia, and progressivist propaganda against the unborn.
In 1982, 1,900,000 Chicagoans voted in the mayoral race in that city, electing Harold Washington. In 2023, all of 450,000 people voted. Why such a massive decline in voter turnout? Yes, it was a runoff, but the numbers were way down in general election too. You say that’s voting; I say that’s not voting. Again, why so much not voting?
Confirmed GOP donors are leaving DeSantis over his extreme positions on abortion and other issues. Abortion is still the main issue that manages to recruit moderate independents to the Democratic camp, Biden or no Biden. Look at what happened in Wisconsin. That’s not polling, that is voting!
I’m not sure polling against Harris is necessary. I’d beat her.