The danger of throwaway misogyny: Sorcha Eastwood vs Andrew Tate

Following a string of inflammatory and misogynistic posts on X, Sorcha Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley, filed a lawsuit against Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate on January 10, 2025. As a survivor of abuse and recipient of rape threats, Eastwood has consistently worked to raise awareness of how ‘throwaway misogyny’ online heightens tangible violence and hostility against women and girls.

Contrastingly, Tate, a self-described misogynist, boasts a following of over 10 million on X, despite being banned from platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok for promoting hate speech. His fame rests on a strategy of provocation, selling a version of masculinity rooted in dominance, control and disdain for women. He has declared that women are ‘inherently lazy,’ referred to them as ‘property,’ and stated that victims of rape should ‘bear responsibility.’ Tate appeals to young men by combining messages that normalise destructive power dynamics and violence with motivational content about fitness, discipline, and financial independence. This is done in an effort to captivate and radicalise impressionable minds.

Phrases such as ‘our inevitable conquest’ demonstrate a mindset that normalises male dominance and portrays women as barriers to be overcome rather than as equals.

However, Eastwood’s lawsuit is a response to specific attacks. Following Eastwood’s speech in Parliament on violence against women and girls, Tate targeted her with posts that went beyond personal attacks to reinforce broader misogynistic tropes. He labelled her a ‘stupid, irrelevant nobody’ and claimed she would ‘soon be forgotten,’ contrasting her with himself, Trump and Elon Musk, whom he described as the future. His language was dismissive, condescending and steeped in the notion that women who speak out are insignificant and destined to fade away.

His rhetoric’s underlying tone of dominance was even more concerning. Phrases such as ‘our inevitable conquest’ demonstrate a mindset that normalises male dominance and portrays women as barriers to be overcome rather than as equals. This goes beyond online sparring. It is an intentional attempt to dehumanise and discredit a woman who dared to question the misogynistic principles that underpin his reputation and platform.

The offline consequences of online hatred

During her powerful speech in the House of Commons, Eastwood recounted one particularly chilling anecdote in which she revealed that a man had once approached her during a school visit and told her he wanted to rape her. This moment was met with stunned inaction by bystanders who remained silent. This inaction is deeply significant, reflecting the larger culture of complicity and silence surrounding violence against women. By failing to intervene, the bystanders signalled a dangerous acceptance of such behaviour, effectively enabling the perpetrator and leaving Eastwood unsupported.

The patterns of complicity and silence, whether online or offline, enable the persistence of these shocking statistics, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.

This culture of silence and complicity is not unique and is inextricably linked to the casual misogyny that pervades online spaces. Eastwood’s claim that online throwaway misogyny leads to destructive behaviour in real life highlights the risks posed by individuals like Tate. The failure to challenge everyday sexism in person mirrors the acceptance of misogyny that thrives on social media. Whilst some may dismiss casual misogynistic comments as jokes, these remarks reinforce a cultural backdrop where women are dehumanised. This creates fertile ground for escalation, moving from online harassment to physical violence.

The tangible consequences of this normalisation are devastating. In Northern Ireland, the reality of such violence is staggering. Despite having a smaller population, the area has one of the highest rates of femicide in Europe; since 2020, 24 women have been brutally murdered, making up 40% of all femicides on the island of Ireland. The patterns of complicity and silence, whether online or offline, enable the persistence of these shocking statistics, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.

The manosphere

The broader cultural acceptance of misogyny has been fuelled by figures in positions of power. For instance, the manosphere, a term used to refer to the network of online influencers endorsing damaging ideas of masculinity, has grown stronger since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, uniting groups such as men’s rights activists and incels (involuntary celibates). The manosphere thrives on the idea that women are to blame for men’s frustrations and failures, which consequently breeds resentment and a dangerous sense of entitlement. Nick Fuentes, a prominent white nationalist, Trump ally and figure in the manosphere, celebrated the 2024 election results online with the phrase ‘Your body, my choice. Forever,’ mocking feminist movements and signalling an agenda to further dismantle women’s rights.

Fuentes’s comment highlights how misogyny and far-right ideologies are intertwined as his comment rapidly spread online alongside increasing calls to repeal women’s voting rights and anti-abortion content. This rhetoric does not only embolden chauvinists, but it also increases legislative and societal regression, creating an environment where extremist views on gender are accepted.

Trump himself has aligned with prominent figures in the manosphere, appearing on podcasts with influencers such as Joe Rogan and Adin Ross. His readiness to interact with these people exposes millions of followers to misogynistic ideologies and gives legitimacy to their opinions. The cumulative effect is a political climate that not only tolerates but promotes harmful attitudes toward women.

Misogyny as extremism

Categorising misogyny as a form of extremism also empowers institutions to take proactive measures. By treating it as a societal threat rather than a cultural nuisance, governments and organisations can prioritise initiatives to combat it..

It is becoming increasingly clear that misogyny and the wider manosphere ought to be recognised as a form of extremism. Similarly to religious or political radicalisation, these ideologies exploit vulnerable individuals in order to incite hatred and violence. The manosphere functions as a haven for radical ideologies, amplifying narratives which attribute men’s problems to women. This often creates a dangerous sense of enmity which manifests itself in real-world violence.

One of the best examples of this is the incel (involuntary celibate) movement. Mass violence perpetrators have been produced by incels who blame women for their lack of romantic or sexual success. For example, before committing suicide in 2014, Elliot Rodger killed six people in California, leaving behind a manifesto that described his hatred of women and his belief in male superiority. Comparably, in 2021, Jake Davison killed his mother and five others in Plymouth before ending killing himself. Alike to Rodger, Davison also had a strong affinity for incel culture, as evidenced by his online history which included references to women as the source of his frustration. Researchers have discovered that misogyny is a common factor in many extremist ideologies, exhibiting that these cases are not isolated but are part of a broader trend. For example, the 2019 Christchurch shooter who killed 51 people in New Zealand included anti-feminist rhetoric in his manifesto, illustrating how deeply ingrained gendered hatred is within the far-right ecosystem.

There needs to be a fundamental shift in public perception in order to recognise misogyny as extremism. For too long, society has dismissed misogynistic language and ideologies as fringe behaviours or harmless outbursts. However, the evidence indicates the contrary as these beliefs clearly fuel tangible harm, ranging from harassment to murder. Misogyny is growingly being considered through a counterterrorism lens, as law enforcement is beginning to acknowledge that young men radicalised by influencers such as Andrew Tate can pose significant risks to society. Categorising misogyny as a form of extremism also empowers institutions to take proactive measures. By treating it as a societal threat rather than a cultural nuisance, governments and organisations can prioritise initiatives to combat it.

Empowering young men as allies

Condemnation alone will not be enough to counteract the manosphere’s power; society must empower young men to evaluate harmful narratives and embrace more positive, inclusive views of masculinity. Polls reveal alarming trends with only 36 percent of men aged 16 to 29 agreeing that feminism has done more good than harm, whilst one in five men in this age group viewed Andrew Tate in a favourable manner. Programs such as Polmont Young Offenders Institute’s ‘positive masculinity’ initiative and campaigns by organisations such as Beyond Equality offer promising models, fostering empathy, challenging stereotypes and encouraging respect as a core value. Young men need spaces for open conversations not only about the dangers of influencers such as Tate, but also about the insecurities and fears that make such messages appealing. By addressing these root causes with empathy, rather than judgment, young men can be taught to reject these ideologies and embrace positive role models.

Regression in progress

For those who dismiss figures such as Tate as harmless or merely provocative, I would urge you to consider the cost of such normalisation. This is not an isolated issue; it is a part of a global regression.

Eastwood’s fight against Tate serves as a stark reminder: misogyny, whether online or offline, is not trivial. For those who dismiss figures such as Tate as harmless or merely provocative, I would urge you to consider the cost of such normalisation. This is not an isolated issue; it is a part of a global regression. In the United States, abortion rights have been dismantled with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In the UK, cases such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick expose extreme misogyny within law enforcement, where predators abused their positions of power. Globally, leaders who denigrate women and undermine gender equality are rising, most strikingly in the US, where a man found liable for sexual assault has now been sworn into presidential office. Nearer to home, Andrew Tate has announced plans to start a UK political party, using his influence to further popularise divisive and misogynistic views. Despite the obvious warning signs, many people are unwilling to accept the backward slide. This denial risks undoing decades of progress.

Eastwood’s statement that throwaway misogyny online feeds into real-world behaviours holds undeniable truth. These influences are not harmless. They are the foundation of a culture that devalues women and leaves them vulnerable to harm. Turning a blind eye could determine whether we build a safer future or allow violence to persist and grow without restraint.