Meghan McCain Criticizes Kim Kardashian’s Business Advice: A Deep Dive into Privilege and Pandemic Realities

In a world grappling with unprecedented economic and social challenges, celebrity advice often comes under intense scrutiny. Such was the case when reality television icon and business mogul Kim Kardashian offered her perspective on success to women, famously stating in a Variety interview, “Get your f**king a** up and work.” While intended to inspire, these remarks quickly sparked a firestorm of criticism, with many labeling them as “tone-deaf” and “privileged.” Among the most vocal critics was former The View co-host Meghan McCain, who penned a scathing column for the DailyMail on Thursday, March 10, outlining why Kardashian’s advice missed the mark for millions of struggling Americans.

McCain’s critique resonated with a broad audience, highlighting a significant disconnect between the experiences of the ultra-wealthy and the daily struggles faced by average working individuals, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her column meticulously dismantled the notion that sheer hard work is the sole determinant of success, particularly when one starts from a position of immense advantage. McCain, herself no stranger to a privileged upbringing as the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, brought a nuanced perspective to the debate, emphasizing the crucial role of recognizing one’s inherent advantages in life.

Kim Kardashian’s statement, delivered with an air of straightforward common sense, was met with immediate backlash. For many, it encapsulated a profound lack of awareness regarding the systemic barriers and economic hardships that prevent countless individuals from achieving upward mobility, regardless of their work ethic. The idea that simply “getting up and working” is the universal solution struck a raw nerve, particularly for those toiling multiple jobs, battling soaring inflation, and contending with the lingering effects of a global health crisis that disproportionately impacted working women.

Meghan McCain wasted no time in dissecting Kardashian’s remarks. Early in her piece, she established a foundational premise: the acknowledgment of privilege. Drawing from her own life experiences as the daughter of a prominent political figure, McCain underscored the importance of recognizing that not everyone begins life with the same opportunities or resources. “It is important to recognize your privilege when it exists,” she stated, making it clear that while hard work is undoubtedly a component of success, it cannot be viewed in isolation from the socio-economic context in which one operates.

McCain pointed directly to Kardashian’s formidable head start in life. Born into a family already entrenched in the entertainment and legal spheres, with successful parents like Robert Kardashian Sr. and Kris Jenner, Kim benefited from an established network, financial stability, and public visibility that most aspiring entrepreneurs can only dream of. “She didn’t pull herself up by her bootstraps — as they say,” McCain wrote, challenging the popular myth of self-made success often applied to individuals who have, in reality, been afforded significant unearned advantages. This sentiment was echoed by many, including McCain’s former colleagues onThe View, who also critiqued Kardashian’s advice.

The former reality star’s early career trajectory was undeniably aided by these inherent advantages. From her family’s legal prominence to her mother’s “momager” prowess and her own early foray into the public eye, Kim Kardashian was granted more opportunities and a more forgiving environment for growth than the vast majority of the population. While her business acumen and dedication to building brands like SKIMS are undeniable, McCain’s argument was not about discrediting Kardashian’s work ethic, but rather about contextualizing her success within the framework of profound privilege. To ignore this context, McCain suggested, is to offer advice that is fundamentally detached from the realities of most people’s lives.

Beyond the critique of privilege, Meghan McCain characterized Kim’s advice as “aggressive” and “tone-deaf,” especially when viewed through the lens of the recent past. The COVID-19 pandemic, a period of unprecedented global upheaval, fundamentally reshaped the landscape of work and family life. For millions of women, the pandemic years were marked by immense pressure, as they disproportionately bore the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. “The pandemic, lockdowns and everything that went along with them directly impacted women in the workplace, because many were pulled out of their professions to carry the load of caregiving responsibilities at home,” McCain articulated.

This forced exodus from the workforce, often due to a lack of affordable childcare, remote schooling demands, or the need to care for sick family members, set back decades of progress for women in many industries. Many found themselves unable to maintain their careers, facing job losses, reduced hours, or an impossible balancing act that ultimately led to burnout. In this context, advice to simply “work harder” not only felt dismissive but profoundly insulting to those who were already working beyond their limits just to keep their families afloat.

McCain further broadened her argument, pointing out that the pandemic was just one of several formidable obstacles facing average working people. The economic climate, she noted, has been particularly harsh. “Kim’s remarks ignore that inflation is skyrocketing, gas prices are hitting historic highs, society has been savaged by Covid and the world appears to be on the verge of a possible WWIII,” she wrote. These factors combine to create an environment where even diligent, hard-working individuals find themselves struggling to make ends meet, let alone build empires. The purchasing power of wages has diminished, and essential goods and services have become increasingly unaffordable, making the pursuit of wealth a distant dream for many.

The notion that success is solely a product of individual effort glosses over the systemic inequities and economic pressures that shape people’s lives. Millions of Americans exemplify an incredible work ethic, rising early, working multiple jobs, and making significant sacrifices, yet find themselves trapped in their socioeconomic station. Their inability to “pull themselves out” is not a reflection of a lack of effort or ambition, but rather a testament to the powerful forces of economic inequality, limited access to education and resources, and structural disadvantages that impede upward mobility.

Meghan McCain’s column served as a potent reminder that success is a complex tapestry woven from a combination of hard work, talent, timing, and crucially, opportunity. While Kim Kardashian has undoubtedly demonstrated significant drive in building her formidable brand, her path has been paved with advantages that are simply unavailable to the vast majority. To disregard these advantages is to present a skewed picture of achievement, one that risks alienating and demoralizing those who are genuinely striving for betterment against far greater odds.

The criticism leveled against Kardashian is part of a larger, ongoing public discourse surrounding wealth, privilege, and responsibility. As public figures increasingly share their opinions on societal issues, there is a growing expectation for them to demonstrate empathy and a grounded understanding of the diverse experiences of their audience. This includes acknowledging that the “American Dream” often looks very different depending on one’s starting point and the societal hurdles they must overcome.

After meticulously outlining all the critical issues that Kim’s advice seemed to overlook, Meghan McCain concluded her column by offering her own counsel to the reality star. Her advice was steeped in the very principles she felt Kardashian had neglected: humility and self-awareness. “I would advise Kim to try and continue growing and morphing with the times,” McCain wrote, suggesting a need for deeper introspection and a broader perspective on the world outside her immediate circle.

McCain encouraged Kardashian to foster a sense of genuine humility, urging her to “be humble and self-aware enough to realize that she is the embodiment of the one percent of the one percent.” This stark categorization served to underscore the extraordinary nature of Kardashian’s wealth and influence, positioning her far removed from the struggles of the average person. The former The View host’s message was clear: While hard work contributes, it cannot solely explain the magnitude of Kardashian’s success. “You didn’t simply get there from hard work alone,” McCain asserted, directly challenging the narrative of a purely self-made empire.

Ultimately, Meghan McCain’s widely discussed column was a call for greater empathy and a more nuanced understanding of success in contemporary society. It highlighted the responsibility of influential figures to consider the broader implications of their words, especially when addressing topics as sensitive as wealth creation and work ethic. In a time when many are struggling, the demand for public figures to acknowledge their privilege and speak with a more informed and compassionate voice continues to grow, ensuring that aspirational advice does not inadvertently become a source of further frustration and alienation.