Nationwide — Byl Holte, Patti LaBelle’s nephew who openly supports Trump, says their relationship fell apart after he questioned his family’s criticism of the president. He claims his political views led to him being kicked out and eventually cut off by LaBelle’s circle. She recently opened up about the family dispute on social media, tracing the conflict back to December 2019. He said he had lived with his aunt for 12 years before she told him to leave around Christmas. “Why should I be afraid of Trump when you’re the one who just made me homeless?” he recalled asking his aunt. He claims relatives then turned against him and forced him out of the home.
The disagreement continued after he moved out. According to The Grio, Holte said LaBelle later objected to him sharing details about his life and experiences with her online. He argued that he had a First Amendment right to speak about his own life and claimed the fallout resulted in what he called a “LIFETIME BANISHMENT.” He said LaBelle has not spoken to him since and that others in her circle also stopped communicating with him.
Holte has continued to defend his support for Trump despite the family fallout. He said his political views should not be based on his race or sexuality and criticized several policies and positions he associates with Democrats. He said he opposes illegal immigration, defunding police departments, violent protests, attacks on law enforcement, and identity politics. He also said he would rather vote Republican because he genuinely supports the party than vote Democratic because he feels expected to.
His comments come as some Trump voters have publicly questioned their 2024 election choice. A recent survey found that about one in five people who voted for Trump said they regretted their decision. Holte, however, has continued to stand by his support for the president. His comments also add to a broader conversation among Black Trump supporters about political identity, party loyalty and the personal consequences of their political choices.
LaBelle has not responded publicly to Holte’s latest allegations. She previously addressed their political differences in a 2020 interview with Oprah Magazine, when attention around their relationship grew because of his conservative views. She acknowledged that Holte had Republican views while she did not, but said she did not hate him for having different political beliefs. She also recalled telling him that she loved him while making clear that certain actions involving her name had crossed a line. At the time, she said she chose to take the high road because she loved her nephew.