Criminal Cults of Personality: Comparing Andrew Tate and Keith Raniere
In the complex web of charismatic criminal leadership, two figures stand out for their remarkable ability to form cults of personality around themselves: Andrew Tate and Keith Raniere. Despite differences in their backgrounds, (alleged) crimes, and operational structures, both share striking similarities in the ways they mythologise themselves, manipulate narratives, and control followers. Their stories offer a compelling case study on how criminals can build influence and loyalty through a combination of charismatic leadership, ideological rhetoric, and carefully crafted myth-making.
Charismatic Leadership and Persona
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxing champion (although the level and legitimacy of his skills have been called into question), projects an image of confidence and mastery across various domains, including business, fitness, and relationships. His hyper-masculine, self-assured persona inspires his predominantly male following to aspire to similar levels of success and power. He markets himself as a guru who understands the “matrix” of oppressive societal structures and claims to hold unique insights into wealth, power, and relationships. This approach has allowed Tate to position himself as a mentor and visionary, offering his followers a path to becoming “top-tier men.”
Keith Raniere, the founder of the ‘human potential development’ organisation, NXIVM, cultivated an image as a visionary leader and problem-solving genius. Raniere presented himself as having one of the highest intelligence quotient scores ever recorded (in reality, prosecutors have said, he graduated with a 2.26 grade point average from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.) and marketed his organisation as a haven for personal transformation. He attracted followers by promising them personal and ethical success through self-improvement workshops and positioning himself as a spiritual guide capable of unlocking their hidden potential. His intellectual demeanor and promise of deeper insights into human potential created an aura of unassailable authority.
Ideology and Rhetoric
Tate’s philosophy revolves around a hyper-masculine, anti-establishment ideology, with some Chinese martial arts mythology mixed in. He speaks vehemently against societal norms that he believes suppress men and constructs a worldview where his followers are seen as freedom fighters resisting oppressive systems (including globalism and feminism). By portraying his audience as the enlightened few who recognise the flaws in modern society, he fosters a shared identity among them. His messaging often includes divisive and provocative content, and keeps his followers highly engaged and loyal.
Raniere built NXIVM on an ideology centered on self-empowerment and overcoming personal limitations. He created a belief system involving ethical principles and personal integrity that attracted individuals seeking transformation. The hierarchical structure of NXIVM, with titles like “Vanguard” for Raniere and “Proctors” for high-ranking members, reinforced a binary worldview where followers were either on a path to ethical enlightenment or trapped in a cycle of limitation and mediocrity.
Building and controlling a following
Before being widely banned, Andrew Tate used social media platforms like Twitter (X), TikTok, and YouTube to cultivate a loyal online following. He is now mainly found on Twitter (X) and Rumble. His subscription-based model, originally called Hustler’s University, now The Real World, offers members exclusive content and courses on achieving financial success quickly. By framing himself as a mentor and using a mixture of aspirational messaging and controversial opinions, Tate ensures continued engagement and monetisation of his audience. Many argue that The Real World is an online pyramid scheme where no real value is offered outside of ‘affiliate marketing’ to other Tate fans, but that’s another article.
Keith Raniere, on the other hand, built NXIVM as a multi-level marketing scheme that relied on courses and workshops to generate revenue. Followers were encouraged to recruit others, creating a pyramid-like structure that kept members financially and psychologically invested. To deepen members’ commitment, Raniere formed inner circles like DOS (Dominus Obsequious Sororium), where women were coerced into becoming “slaves,” branding themselves with his initials, and providing blackmail material. These manipulative tactics allowed Raniere to maintain tight control over his followers. This is echoed by Tate’s victims having ‘Property of Tate’ and other similar tattooes ‘branding’ them.
Victimhood and Persecution Narratives
A key element of Tate’s and Raniere’s success is their ability to construct compelling victimhood narratives. Tate frames himself as a victim of government overreach and conspiracies, using incidents like police raids as proof that the authorities fear his influence. In a passage where he mythologises a police raid on his residence, he presents it as a calculated move by the authorities who are afraid of his power:
This rhetoric positions him as a misunderstood hero fighting against an oppressive system, reinforcing the loyalty of his followers.
Keith Raniere also framed himself as a victim of powerful figures who misunderstood NXIVM’s mission. He alleged that former members and authorities conspired against him to bring down his organisation. By cultivating a sense of persecution, he rallied loyalists to dismiss critics and discredit any allegations against him, even when former members spoke out about the organisation’s abusive practices (as has been the case when Tate defectors have gone public).
Myth-Making and Self-Aggrandisement
Andrew Tate is known for exaggerating his accomplishments in business and combat sports (‘6 Times World Champion’, ‘genius’, ‘billionaire’ etc), constructing an image of himself as a global influencer and unbeatable alpha male. Even mundane events, like police raids, are mythologised as signs of his importance and power. This self-aggrandisement reinforces his carefully curated persona and allows him to maintain an aura of invincibility.
Keith Raniere fabricated a successful background in entrepreneurship and personal development, positioning himself as one of the world’s smartest people. He claimed to have a genius-level IQ and marketed himself as a visionary capable of solving humanity’s greatest challenges. By positioning himself as a spiritual guru, he created an environment where followers viewed him as an infallible leader.
Conclusion
Andrew Tate and Keith Raniere, despite their differences, both exemplify the dangers of charismatic criminals who form cults of personality around themselves. By manipulating narratives, mythologising their lives, and controlling followers through charismatic leadership, they create environments where critical thinking is suppressed, and loyalty is unquestioned. Understanding their tactics is crucial to demystifying their influence and providing tools to resist these manipulative leaders.
As we continue to see the rise of charismatic influencers using social media to spread their messages, it’s essential to remain vigilant against individuals who seek to exploit their followers for personal gain. By recognising the patterns of cult-like behavior, we can better identify and challenge the narratives of those who prey on vulnerable individuals in the pursuit of power.
Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison for sex trafficking and other crimes, effectively a life sentence. The judge also ordered him to pay a $1.75 million fine.
In Romania, Tate has been indicted with human trafficking (multiple counts), rape (multiple counts), and forming an organised criminal enterprise. At the time of publishing, sources close to DIICOT are suggesting further charges are pending. Once Tate’s legal proceedings are complete in Romania, British police investigating allegations of rape and human trafficking have been granted a warrant to extradite Andrew Tate to the UK as part of Operation Moonwalk.
If you would like to donate money to help alleged rape and serious sexual assault victims of Andrew Tate bring him to justice in the UK, you can do so at CrowdJustice.
Thanks for reading!
