Nalin Haley, son of Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley, has pushed back sharply after being branded a “nepo baby” and a “spoiled brat,” insisting that he has not benefited from his parents’ status and that critics are targeting him because he has been vocal about the problems facing Gen Z.
The backlash began when political activist Olivia Julianna accused the 24-year-old of getting opportunities due to his family and said he projects entitlement whenever he appears on television. Responding on X, Nalin rejected the charge and argued that he was being mocked simply for highlighting issues such as unemployment, high living costs, and safety concerns. “I’ve received 0 help from my parents,” he wrote, adding that those criticising him had no idea what work he actually does.
The argument widened when political commentator Giancarlo Sopo accused him of focusing on “performative” rhetoric rather than real structural problems affecting young Americans, such as skyrocketing tuition fees and restrictive zoning laws that make buying a home nearly impossible. Sopo also mocked comparisons between Nalin and climate activist Greta Thunberg, calling the persona “old real fast.”
Nalin has also clashed recently with Canadian anti-transgender activist Chris Elston, who criticised young men for having a defeatist attitude. Nalin dismissed Elston’s comments and argued that because Elston is not American, “his opinion is invalid.”
The controversy intensified following Nalin’s interview with the New York Post, where he said many of his friends remain unemployed more than a year after graduating and linked Democrat Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral election to growing disillusionment among Gen Z voters.
Presenting himself as a representative of his generation, Nalin criticised the Republican Party for prioritising corporate interests over working Americans and warned that younger voters are being ignored. In recent months, he has taken hard-line positions on immigration, calling for curbs on foreign students, restrictions on legal immigration, and even a ban on H-1B visas — views that have drawn attention both inside and outside GOP circles.
The dispute highlights the increasingly visible role Nalin Haley is carving out in conservative politics — not only as Nikki Haley’s son, but as a Gen Z Republican trying to shape debates over the economy, immigration, and the party’s relationship with young voters.
