Nalin Haley, the son of former U.S. ambassador and Republican leader Nikki Haley, has issued a sharp warning to the GOP, saying young Americans are reaching a breaking point over unemployment, rising housing costs, and economic uncertainty.
Speaking on the popular morning show Fox & Friends, Haley accused Republican leaders of failing to even acknowledge the struggles faced by Generation Z.
He said the first step toward solving the crisis is simply admitting that it exists. According to him, many leaders in Washington are disconnected from the realities young Americans face today. He went on to criticize Congress as being out of touch with the needs of the younger generation, saying lawmakers either do not understand the problems or are choosing to ignore them.
Gen Z Graduates Struggling to Find Jobs
Haley highlighted the growing frustration among young graduates who followed every traditional path to success—earned degrees from reputed institutions, invested time and money in education—yet still remain unemployed.
He claimed that roughly one-third of recent college graduates are without jobs. Sharing his personal experience, he said his entire group of friends graduated from top universities with strong academic backgrounds, yet not a single one has secured full-time employment.
He argued that young Americans now face competition from two sides: foreign workers willing to work for lower wages, and artificial intelligence, which is rapidly replacing entry-level roles. According to Haley, this double pressure makes it increasingly difficult for Gen Z to establish financial independence after graduation.
First-Time Homeownership Slipping Out of Reach
Haley also pointed to the worsening housing affordability crisis. Citing data from the National Association of Realtors, he noted that the average age of first-time homebuyers in the U.S. has now climbed to a record 40 years—up from just 33 five years ago.
He compared today’s market with his parents’ experience, explaining that their first home cost around $90,000 in the late 1990s and is now worth more than $400,000. He said this drastic rise in prices has made homeownership feel almost impossible for today’s young adults.
Policy Solutions Proposed by Haley
To address these challenges, Haley proposed several policy changes aimed at prioritizing American workers and first-time homebuyers. He called for a ban on the H-1B visa, arguing that corporations should be required to hire Americans before recruiting foreign workers.
He also suggested shifting housing support away from illegal immigrants and instead offering direct assistance to first-time American homebuyers. In addition, he urged restrictions on foreign corporate ownership of residential neighborhoods, warning against large-scale purchases of homes by companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
A Wake-Up Call for the GOP
Haley’s remarks reflect growing frustration among young conservative voters who feel economically excluded despite following society’s traditional success formula. His message serves as a warning to Republican leadership that Gen Z’s economic anxieties—covering jobs, wages, housing, and competition from automation—can no longer be ignored.
