Socialite and Bravo star Kathy Hilton has been named this year’s WeHo Pride Grand Marshal Icon, sparking backlash from people calling out her proximity to President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star tends to be a divisive celebrity, considered by some to have a Grey Gardens-level of quirkiness, while other people criticize her for being manipulative, out of touch, and a Trump supporter.
In the announcement that Hilton nabbed the coveted Grand Marshal position at one of the largest and most iconic Pride events in the world, WeHo Pride specifically pointed to the “unwavering allyship” of the celebrities that were selected for this year’s event.
However, the comment section of the Instagram post quickly filled with people questioning why Hilton was part of the event when she has a record of supporting Trump.
Is Kathy Hilton a Trump supporter?
Hilton and Trump, both New York real estate moguls, have been tied together for decades, often attending the same industry parties, running in similar social circles, and even being honored together at events like the Annual Family Business Dynasties Gala.
Hilton has never stated publicly that she voted for Trump, but both she and her husband, Rick Hilton, have a history of supporting the president.
As far back as 2004, the Hiltons hosted a party for Trump to celebrate his reality TV show The Apprentice. Years later, Hilton also ended up in hot water after she was photographed attending a Super Bowl party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in 2022.
Photographs from the event, showing Hilton posing with other attendees, circulated online, and although she was never photographed with Trump, her RHOBH costar Lisa Rinna called out Hilton for skipping filming the show’s season 12 finale to make Trump’s party.
Did Kathy Hilton use a gay slur?
Not only has Hilton’s connection to Trump been called into question by people on social media, but people were also quick to bring up Hilton’s past controversy, where she was accused of using an anti-gay slur by one of her reality TV costars.
At the RHOBH season 12 reunion, the same year that Hilton attended Trump’s Super Bowl party, Erika Jayne alleged that Hilton used a gay slur when complaining about a DJ at a club they were dancing at.
"I see Kathy coming from the dance floor, very upset," Jayne said at the reunion. "I say, 'Kathy, what's wrong?' She says, 'The DJ's an old f*cking f*g,' and walked off."
Hilton has denied the allegation and said that she was "frustrated" that the DJ was "too busy” to accept her song request, but never would have used that kind of language.
Is Kathy Hilton an LGBTQ+ ally?
Hilton may have had connections to Trump in the past, but she has also supported the LGBTQ+ community in actions and in words.
For years, Hilton has been a prominent supporter and frequent host of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) by hosting the annual "Christmas in September" toy drive at The Abbey, one of West Hollywood’s most iconic gay bars.
When asked by GLAAD at the 2022 BravoCon red carpet what she thought about the LGBTQ+ fans who are devoted to RHOBH, Hilton responded, “Fans are very passionate. They are smart. You can’t put anything past them – they need their own show!”
And during a recent red carpet interview with Nicky Paris in May, 2026, Hilton said she has “quite a few” gay friends in her social circle.
What is everyone saying?
After the news broke that Hilton was named Grand Marshal, the queer community took to social media to call out WeHo Pride for choosing a Bravolebrity with a spotty record on LGBTQ+ issues and connections to Trump instead of someone who has done more for the community.
Keep scrolling to see some of the reactions!
