Published：May 16, 11:00Last updated：Jun 8, 17:18

Spencer Pratt's Controversial LA Mayoral Bid Ends in Defeat

May. 16, 2026 11:00

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, known for 'The Hills,' is running for mayor of Los Angeles. His campaign focuses on the city's response to the 2025 wildfires and the cost-of-living crisis. Pratt aims to leverage public frustration to challenge the incumbent mayor.

Summarized

18News

8Media

Jun. 8, 2026 10:35

Former President Donald Trump has alleged fraud in a California mayoral election where his endorsed candidate, Spencer Pratt, appears to be losing. Trump warned of 'great trouble and consternation' but provided no evidence for his claims. This continues his pattern of disputing election outcomes without substantiation.

Jun. 8, 2026 17:18

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV personality, fell to third place in the official vote count on June 8, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump and others made unsubstantiated claims of irregularities in the election. The incident highlights potential tensions and accusations that may arise during the upcoming midterm elections. The claims were made without evidence, reflecting ongoing concerns about election integrity in the U.S. The situation underscores the polarized nature of American politics.

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt's unconventional bid for Los Angeles mayor has ended in defeat, with the Republican candidate finishing third in the official vote count. The race, which drew national attention due to Pratt's celebrity status and controversial campaign tactics, culminated in unsubstantiated fraud claims from former President Donald Trump. Pratt's campaign blended digital innovation with his reality TV persona, but ultimately failed to overcome LA's Democratic stronghold. BBC News+2

🎭 Celebrity Campaign Falls Short

Pratt's mayoral attempt highlighted both the potential and limits of celebrity politics:

Finished third behind incumbent Karen Bass and another Democrat
Leveraged 6.8M Instagram followers and AI-generated content
Used Palisades fire experience as campaign narrative
Late-night hosts mocked the bid as a "second-season pickup" of political ambitions. The New York Times+2

🏛️ Republican Struggles Continue

The results maintain LA's Democratic dominance:

No Republican mayor elected since 1993 (Richard Riordan)
Destroyed Palisades home became symbolic campaign backdrop
Trump's endorsement and fraud claims failed to change outcome
Analysts question whether celebrity can overcome deep-blue city politics. The New York Times+2

📊 Election Aftermath

The race's conclusion sparked controversy:

Trump alleged fraud without evidence
Official results showed clear Democratic victory
Incident foreshadows potential midterm election tensions
Claims reflect ongoing national debates about election integrity. The Independent+2

🤖 Digital Campaign Legacy

Pratt's tech-forward approach leaves questions:

AI-generated videos and virtual town halls set precedents
Algorithmically targeted ads showed new campaign methods
Experts debate whether such tactics represent elections' future
The campaign may influence how outsiders approach local races. BBC News+2

Karen BassLos AngelesDonald TrumpJimmy KimmelSpencer Pratt