{"id":2600429,"date":"2026-05-08T14:53:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spencer-pratt-sheds-joke-candidate-label-as-momentum-grows\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:55:09","slug":"spencer-pratt-sheds-joke-candidate-label-as-momentum-grows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spencer-pratt-sheds-joke-candidate-label-as-momentum-grows\/","title":{"rendered":"Spencer Pratt sheds &#8216;joke&#8217; candidate label as momentum grows"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fspencer-pratt-sheds-joke-candidate-label-as-momentum-grows%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2600429&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Spencer pratt-once considered a novelty for the Los Angeles mayoral race-has gained momentum after a standout performance at the Skirball Cultural Center debate against incumbent mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman. Even though 14 candidates are on the ballot, only five, including Pratt, are widely seen as viable heading into the June 2 primary.<\/p>\n<p>Pratt\u2019s rise is attributed to his outsider persona and his disruptive, attention-grabbing campaign style, which has been amplified by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/corporate-media-shamefully-silent-over-atlanta-child-abuse-and-pedophile-ring-case\/\" title=\"Corporate Media Shamefully Silent Over Atlanta Child Abuse And \u2018Pedophile Ring\u2019 Case\">large social media presence<\/a>, viral ads, and endorsements from prominent media and conservative figures. Supporters and political observers say his approach resonates because it casts the race as a fight against \u201cfailed leadership,\u201d focusing heavily on housing affordability, public safety, and quality-of-life concerns-especially as Los Angeles continues to struggle with homelessness and drug addiction.<\/p>\n<p>At the debate, Pratt used highly confrontational rhetoric aimed at Bass over the 2025 palisades fires and criticized Raman for her stance on homelessness and addiction treatment. His claims included stark assertions about drug addiction and critiques of how treatment should be handled.<\/p>\n<p>While betting markets suggest Pratt could make a strong showing-potentially placing in the top two-critics question whether he has the temperament or judgment to govern. Some strategists describe him as bratty or untrustworthy, and Pratt did not respond to requests for comment. Under California\u2019s primary system, the top two finishers advance to the November general election irrespective of party.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/op-eds\/4555915\/spencer-pratt-call-out-californias-failed-leadership\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4555915\">Spencer Pratt<\/a> may have entered the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">Los Angeles mayoral race<\/a> as a candidate people weren\u2019t taking seriously, but his performance at this <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4559287\/la-mayor-nithya-raman-breakthrough-spencer-pratt-attack\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4559287\">week\u2019s debate<\/a> gave new weight to the reality television villain\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-to-vote-on-d-c-statehood-bill\/\" title=\"... to vote on D.C. statehood bill\">long-shot bid<\/a> to lead the nation\u2019s second-largest city.<\/p>\n<p>Pratt shared the stage at the Skirball Cultural Center with incumbent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karen-bass\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2491\">Mayor Karen Bass<\/a> (D) and Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents the city\u2019s 4th District. Fourteen candidates are on the ballot, though only five, including Pratt, are viewed as viable contenders heading into the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">June 2 primary<\/a>. Pratt has gained unexpected momentum, running as an outsider and railing against what he calls \u201cfailed leadership,\u201d while political observers have pointed\u00a0to his ability to disrupt more traditional candidates.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4560836\/virginia-democrats-vow-continue-redistricting-fight\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Virginia Democrats vow to continue redistricting fight<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4559287\/la-mayor-nithya-raman-breakthrough-spencer-pratt-attack\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>LA mayor hopeful Nithya Raman struggles to breakthrough amid Spencer Pratt onslaught<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4555270\/california-elections-in-play-for-republicans-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California elections \u2018in play\u2019 for Republicans: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cSpencer Pratt is not a joke, and he proved it with his debate performance,\u201d Jeff Burton, a former senior National Republican Congressional Committee official and partner at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/mavenadvocacy.com\/team\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/mavenadvocacy.com\/team\">Maven Advocacy<\/a>, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cEvery non-political person I know in LA knows who Pratt is and is planning to vote for him. Another performance like that, and he has a real chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Pratt launched his campaign in January on the anniversary of last year\u2019s devastating fires, using the occasion to sharpen his criticism of Bass\u2019s leadership. Speaking at a neighborhood rally, he cast his candidacy in sweeping terms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis isn\u2019t a campaign \u2014 it\u2019s a mission,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to shine a light into every corner of this city, expose what\u2019s broken, and rebuild LA into something people can believe in again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt\u2019s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents\u2019 home. Recovery efforts in the area have moved slowly, with only a fraction of the more than 6,000 destroyed structures currently under reconstruction.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spencer Pratt speaks during an appearance on \u201cFox &#038; Friends\u201d at Fox News headquarters, Jan. 28, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa\/Invision\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the months since, Pratt has leaned heavily on his large social media following \u2014 nearly 1 million followers on X and 1.4 million on Instagram \u2014 to attack local and state officials, including Bass and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), accusing them of failing to prevent what he describes as an avoidable disaster.<\/p>\n<p>He has also released a series of provocative ads that quickly went viral while racking up endorsements from podcast host Joe Rogan, comedian Adam Carolla, former Trump administration official Richard Grenell, conservative commentator Benny Johnson, and California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton.<\/p>\n<p>After Pratt released his \u201cThey not like us\u201d campaign ad, conservative commentator Meghan McCain weighed in on social media: \u201cI\u2019m telling you this guy is going to win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>McCain also praised Pratt\u2019s debate showing, giving him a \u201c10\/10.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is not hyperbole,\u201d she posted on X. \u201cSpencer Pratt is the blueprint for how my generation of older millennials needs to communicate and present their ideas and campaign messaging when running for office.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is not hyperbole \u2013 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/spencerpratt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@spencerpratt<\/a> is the blueprint for how my generation of older millennials needs to communicate and present their ideas and campaign messaging when running for office.<\/p>\n<p>He is 10\/10 no notes. Absolute raw talent. Killed the debate.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MeghanMcCain\/status\/2052204490946707905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>James Christopher, founder of New York-based James Christopher Communications, LLC, said candidates often underestimate how strongly voters respond to authenticity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne thing I consistently advise political clients is that polished messaging matters far less than whether people genuinely believe you understand their daily struggles,\u201d Christopher told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cSpencer Pratt\u2019s success in the Los Angeles mayoral race reflected that dynamic. His background in television and soap operas ultimately did not disqualify him among more serious voters because his campaign stayed laser-focused on real affordability concerns, public frustration, and quality-of-life issues affecting Angelenos.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Christopher argued Pratt\u2019s candidacy also complicates the idea that anyone tied to Hollywood is automatically viewed as part of a disconnected elite.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile Pratt came from wealth, he did not enter entertainment through entrenched Hollywood political connections, and voters increasingly viewed him as someone who understood instability, reinvention, and the economic pressures facing younger Californians,\u201d Christopher said. \u201cCombined with a strong command of local issues, effective rebuttals to Mayor Karen Bass, and a naturally charismatic personality, voters began seeing him as more than just another actor running for office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During the debate, Pratt blasted Bass for the 2025 Palisades fire.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI blame this person for burning my house and my parents\u2019 house down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to Raman, he said: \u201cIf I wanted to run against anybody, it would be the council member, who is terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pratt\u2019s unfiltered style, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >trading polished political talking points<\/a> for aggressive criticism and rapid-fire statistics, appears to be resonating with some voters increasingly frustrated with City Hall, particularly as Los Angeles continues to struggle with homelessness and drug addiction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe reality is no matter how many beds you give these people, they are on super meth, they are on fentanyl,\u201d Pratt said.<\/p>\n<p>He also sharply criticized Raman\u2019s approach to homelessness and addiction treatment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe DEA statistics say 93% of this is a drug addiction problem,\u201d Pratt said. \u201cCouncilwoman Raman\u2019s plan for treatment first \u2014 I will go below the Harbor Freeway tomorrow with her, and we can find some of the people she can offer treatment for. She\u2019s going to get stabbed in the neck.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Media and culture expert Kaivan Shroff told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Pratt\u2019s debate performance\u00a0had more to do with Bass and Raman underperforming than with him rising to the challenge.  <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spencer Pratt is shown on a television while journalists work during the 2026 Los Angeles Mayoral debate at Skirball Cultural Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond \/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cPratt nailed the game of low expectations,\u201d Shroff said. \u201cHis advertisements and social media postings about the campaign have had an immaturity and lack of seriousness to them \u2014 very attention-grabby without the substance. But [in the debate] he came across more serious, emotionally invested, and committed, so it was a level above what most people were anticipating. When you flip expectations on their head in that way, the audience notices the contrast, and it lingers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Following the debate, prediction market Polymarket put Bass\u2019s odds of winning at 45%, Raman\u2019s at 38%, and Pratt\u2019s at 18%. Rival Kalshi showed Pratt edging ahead of Raman for second place, with 26% to her 23%, while Bass remained in front at 47%.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4558427\/spencer-pratt-karen-bass-la-mayor-debate\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4558427\">SPENCER PRATT ROASTS KAREN BASS FOR \u2018BURNING MY HOUSE\u2019 AT LA MAYOR DEBATE <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Under California\u2019s primary system, the top two finishers advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the growing buzz around Pratt, skeptics remain unconvinced he has the temperament or experience to govern the city.<\/p>\n<p>Veteran California political strategist Garry South told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Pratt \u201ccame off mostly as a brat,\u201d while political consultant David McLaughlin argued Pratt \u201cseems like a mean human to his own family, so I am not sure why others would trust him to represent them in any capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Emails to Pratt requesting comment were not returned.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">They not like us <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/78hducHDUE\">pic.twitter.com\/78hducHDUE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2014 Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/spencerpratt\/status\/2049497051793412557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 29, 2026<\/a><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spencer Pratt\u2019s debate performance boosted his Los Angeles mayoral bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2600430,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26127822043979.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[79341,32171,70393],"class_list":["post-2600429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-campaign-momentum","tag-political-commentary","tag-spencer-pratt"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26127822043979.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600429"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2600433,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600429\/revisions\/2600433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}