French influencer Alex Hitchens, known for his controversial masculinist views, has returned to TikTok after a brief ban that followed his appearance before the French parliament.
He was called to testify as part of a parliamentary hearing into the psychological impact of TikTok on young users.
Late on June 12, Hitchens took to social media to announce the reactivation of his account, mocking Aurore Bergé, minister-delegate for gender equality, who had previously praised the platform’s decision to suspend him.
“I’ve contacted my lawyers: My account is reactivated,” he posted, tagging Bergé directly.
“Censorship won’t work. Even if more bans come, my team is preparing around fifty new accounts to launch next week. Good luck,” he added.
The ban came just days after Hitchens abruptly left a parliamentary hearing on TikTok’s influence.
His main account, which had more than 650,000 followers, was deleted on June 12.
Bergé quickly reacted to the platform’s decision, stating: “On June 2, I summoned social media platforms to remind them of their responsibilities in moderating harmful content, specifically accounts promoting female domination, violence, homophobia, racism, and antisemitism. TikTok responded.
“Alex Hitchens’ main account has been taken down. Good riddance,” she added.
Co-President of the French National Digital Council, Gilles Babinet, has warned that social media “in their current forms are not compatible with democracy”. https://t.co/Jd7ZhuZlcX
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) June 3, 2025
TikTok confirmed the ban was enforced based on its community guidelines concerning hate speech and hateful behaviour.
“This decision was made in line with our community rules, which apply to all users without exception,” a spokesperson for the platform stated.
Hitchens, whose real name is Isac Mayembo, has often spread what has been seen as misogynistic rhetoric online, including claims that most women were “whores” and women who did not listen should be “punished”.
He also branded himself as a “seduction coach” and sold online courses. He has maintained a strong presence on other platforms, with more than 370,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Multiple fan accounts on social media also supported Hitchens’ videos and spread them online.
His rhetoric was to many reminiscent of the former British-US kickboxer Andrew Tate, now a social media personality for young people, especially young boys. Tate was currently being investigated for sex trafficking and sexual assaults on multiple women.
Tate has said that women should “bear responsibility” for being sexually assaulted.
Arthur Delaporte, chair of the parliamentary inquiry, criticised Hitchens and other influencers including porn star AD Laurent for “promoting extremely gendered and sexist norms”.
The latest controversy came amid France’s broader efforts to regulate social media.
In the wake of the alleged fatal stabbing of a school education assistant by a 14-year-old student, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for restricting access to social media for children under the age of 15.
Another example of what has been termed the Big Tech dilemma regarding social media influencers related to US rapper Kanye West.
Controversial rap artist Ye’s latest track, Heil Hitler, was promptly banned from Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube upon its May 8 release, but in just 24 hours, it had racked up millions of views on X. https://t.co/xW3mZeN3s7
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 16, 2025
