Kyle Richards backed her sister Kathy Hilton following backlash that forced her to step down as grand marshal for the West Hollywood Pride Parade. The move came amid criticism over the Hilton family's past social ties to President Donald Trump. Kyle praised Kathy's choice to avoid becoming a distraction.
Kyle Richards took to Instagram Story to defend her sister. She called Kathy a longtime supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and stressed that knowing someone does not mean sharing their views. Kathy Hilton released her own statement after stepping aside. She expressed honor at the initial invitation and reaffirmed her commitment through groups like GLAAD and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. West Hollywood officials thanked Kathy for her grace and noted the parade's strength comes from open dialogue. They highlighted nearly 120 entries set to celebrate the community this year. The drama unfolded just ahead of the June 2026 event, with both sisters emphasizing support for pride while respecting community concerns.