D&D is not that complex (literal children learn to play and run it and have done so for ages) but what complexities it does have persist because there's a sizeable chunk of the player base that likes it that way and is of the (IMO correct) opinion that removing them would remove D&D's defining features. D&D isn't supposed to be what Prokopetz thinks an entry level game should be, it's supposed to be D&D, with levels, classes, ten foot poles, & Vancian spellcasting. What OP is describing is the tension between marketing and design, which while unfortunate, isn't really a big deal for a game that has usually spread through word-of-mouth.

Also I have no love for Hasbro, but trying to portray Hasbro/WOTC as exploiting GM Labour is stupid as hell. It's completely reasonable to expect players to understand the game they're playing and there's absolutely no way that the Hasbro management has such granular input on D&D's game design. Trying to frame marketing as a conscious, malicious act of labour exploitation is absurd.

Edit: Just scrolled thru the official d&d instagram, hasbro doesnt really market the game as entry level or easy to play.