William Holte, the adult nephew of singer Patti LaBelle, has claimed that the 82-year-old entertainer expelled him from her $2.3 million home due to his political views, specifically his support for Donald Trump. Holte, the adopted son of LaBelle's late sister Jacqueline Holte, shared his account in a statement posted on X.
According to Holte, the incident occurred around Christmas 2019, after he had lived with LaBelle for 12 years. He stated that upon hearing LaBelle and other family members discuss their concerns about Trump, he questioned LaBelle, asking why he should fear Trump when she was making him homeless. Holte alleges he was then "instantly attacked" by family members and subsequently removed from the house.
He described his removal as "LIFETIME BANISHMENT" for exercising his First Amendment rights. Holte also claimed his aunt is still not speaking to him, which has resulted in others in her circle also ceasing communication, a situation he believes will last indefinitely. He asserted that Democrats "violate and disrespect democracy and free speech more than" Republicans and declared his allegiance to the Republican party.
Holte's claims have drawn commentary online, with many social media users on platforms like Reddit questioning his narrative. Some pointed out that the First Amendment protects individuals from government censorship, not actions taken within a private residence. Others characterized Holte's post as sounding like an entitled individual expressing frustration over being asked to leave a home he occupied for free.
This is not the first time Holte's political leanings have been publicly addressed. In a 2020 interview with O Magazine, Patti LaBelle acknowledged her nephew's Republican views. "Guess what? I didn’t choose my family. I choose my friends," she said at the time. "I love Billy. He has a Republican mind. And, guess what? I don’t. But do I hate him for having the mind that he has? No, I can’t."
LaBelle added that while she might not agree with his political choices, she could not "beat him up for the rest of his life." She described choosing "the high road" by letting him know that while mistakes happen, involving her name in them was unacceptable. Despite their differing political viewpoints, she stated, "I love him."