Opinion

DAN GAINOR: Gen Z is right to be angry, but Boomers are not the real enemy

Kevin O'Leary's spending comments ignited a generational firestorm, but both sides have valid points about today's economy

By Dan Gainor Fox News

Published May 28, 2026 7:00am EDT

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Kevin O’Leary Says THIS Is Why People Stay Broke - Is He Right? | Will Cain Country

Barstool's Jack Mac joins Will Cain and The Crew to debate Kevin O'Leary's lunch advice and the "boomer slop" backlash. Plus, Rep. Andy Ogles breaks down the Assimilation Act and how to fix America's immigration problem.

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I’m a Boomer – a few months older than former President Barack Obama. But say that online today and it’s like admitting to a war crime.

The news is full of socialists calling for more taxes, wealth taxes, etc., that would let big government keep taking from successful people for being … successful. The New York Times just ran "The Case for California’s Billionaire Wealth Tax," which officials are learning is also the case for millionaires to move to saner states. Going Galt apparently is a real thing.

For months, social media has witnessed a generation gap the size of the Grand Canyon. Many in Gen Z are venomously angry at the Boomer generation over financial issues. But nothing set them off more than "Shark Tank" star Kevin O’Leary, who blamed young people for foolish spending. "I can't stand it when I see kids that are making 70 grand a year spending $28 for lunch. I mean, that's just stupid," he said. It was the comment that launched a billion replies. And counting.

It landed after criticism of excess Starbucks and DoorDash spending among young people. This was the last straw. Gen Z responded that Boomers had it easy in post-WWII America: low housing costs, cheap college, infinite jobs. Boomers knew that was wrong. Because we lived it.

WHY GEN Z IS SUDDENLY SKIPPING THE $15 BURRITO BOWL

But the thing is, the young........

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