Sam Fender says white privilege narrative ‘seduces’ working-class men toward Andrew Tate

Sam Fender argues that labeling working-class men as privileged alienates them.

British singer-songwriter Sam Fender has voiced concerns over the way working-class white men are labeled as “privileged,” arguing that it contributes to their feelings of disenfranchisement. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Fender, 30, suggested that this rhetoric is driving some young men toward controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who presents himself as an advocate for those who feel overlooked by society.

Fender, who grew up in North Shields, near Newcastle, pointed out that discussions around privilege frequently center on race, gender, and sexuality while often ignoring socioeconomic class. He argued that young white men from struggling communities are being “shamed” and made to feel like they are the problem.

“When people tell a kid from a pit town in Durham, who has nothing, that he is privileged, and then Andrew Tate comes along and tells him he is worth something, it’s seductive,” Fender said.

Fender believes that Tate capitalizes on this sense of alienation by positioning himself as a champion for men who feel undervalued. Despite his legal troubles, including an ongoing trial in Romania for charges of human trafficking and rape—allegations he denies—Tate remains a powerful online figure with a devoted following.

Although Fender branded Tate a “demagogue” and a “psycho,” he acknowledged the influencer’s appeal to disaffected young men. He emphasized the need to recognize class disparities instead of focusing solely on racial or gender-based privilege.

Fender’s comments have sparked wider discussions about how narratives surrounding privilege, masculinity, and class influence the perspectives and choices of young men in struggling communities.