Trump, Nepotism, and the Black Case for the Family Economy

C. Aigner Ellis
Jul 21
2 min read

Updated: Jul 22

Let me be real with y’all:

I don’t agree with much of what came out of the Trump administration—especially the racism, anti-Black dog whistles, anti-trans energy, and the deliberate dismantling of DEI programs meant to level the playing field.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t watching how that family moved.

Because for all their chaos, one thing Trump did well?

👉🏾 He kept it in the family.

💼 The Family Economy Is Not a Scam—I—It’s Strategy

Say what you want about the Trumps (and I’ve said plenty), but Donald Trump had Ivanka in the West Wing, Jared running foreign policy, and Don Jr. and Eric holding down the business empire.

And while the media screamed “nepotism!” and ethics watchdogs hit the panic button, I couldn’t help but think:

How many Black families are criticized—or criminalized—for doing the same thing on a smaller scale?

Let’s keep it real:

They’ve got entire think tanks dedicated to dynasty preservation.

We’ve got folks scared to hire their cousin because it looks “unprofessional.”

Make it make sense.

👶🏾 Let the Kids Work

Black children get judged harshly for “being in grown folks’ business.”

But maybe if they were in grown folks’ business—the family business—we’d be raising entrepreneurs instead of employees.

Let them:

Run your pop-up shop register
Shoot your TikToks
Help design your merch
Assist with event logistics

It’s not child labor. It’s legacy training.

💍 Your Partner Is Your COO

If your spouse is holding you down—keeping the kids quiet while you take Zoom calls, giving you business feedback, or even physically working alongside you—it’s time to start treating them like a business partner, not just moral support.

We saw the Trumps do this.

We saw Michelle Obama hold the White House down too.

Your house can be a launchpad—if you name the labor and split the credit.

🛑 DEI May Be Under Attack—But Nepotism’s Just Fine?

Let’s call it what it is:

DEI is being villainized while nepotism is getting normalized—at least for wealthy white families.

So here’s your permission slip:

Hire your friend.
Build with your partner.
Put your mama on payroll.
Create a lane for your siblings.

Don’t apologize for keeping the money, skills, and opportunities in your ecosystem.

If the Trumps can run a government like it’s the Trump Organization, we can build Black-led ventures that prioritize family, ownership, and mutual support—with just a little more integrity.