Spencer Pratt Runs for Los Angeles Mayor Using AI and Combative Online Strategy

Spencer Pratt's LA mayoral campaign uses AI videos, combative rhetoric, and an army of online "clippers" to bash city leaders, sparking debate over digital campaign tactics.

Objective Facts

Spencer Pratt has amplified outlandish artificial intelligence videos including lightsaber duels between him and Mayor Karen Bass and depictions of himself as Batman descending on a burning Los Angeles, while his campaign tapped an army of freelance "clippers" to edit short social media snippets bashing city leaders. His favorite pejorative for Bass is "Karen Basura" and he calls the mayor's supporters "Bassholes," cruel bully-like language catering to young men online. Pratt talks about nonexistent "super meth" plaguing the city's streets and pushed false narratives about California lawmakers' response to the Palisades Fire. The key difference with Pratt is that he's using the leverage of the well-oiled right-wing online media machine, where "right-leaning candidates come into an internet ecosystem that is well-practiced in promoting itself through its various networks". Polls show Pratt and Raman neck and neck with Bass commanding a comfortable lead, with the June 2 jungle primary determining if a November runoff is necessary.

Left-Leaning Perspective

Left-leaning outlets and Democratic candidates have focused their criticism on Pratt's use of AI-generated content and false claims. City Councilmember Nithya Raman stated in a formal statement that "Hollywood jobs are being devastated by AI, meanwhile Spencer Pratt is using his platform to promote AI-generated content amplifying the very technology replacing the workers he claims to care about". Mayor Karen Bass told CNN that Pratt's superhero portrayal "plays into people's desperation," arguing "I think oftentimes we look for somebody superhuman to save us. The reality is it never happens". Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo dismissed the viral campaign's reach, saying "Being louder doesn't necessarily mean that there's actual support for him in the city of L.A." Left-leaning coverage emphasizes what it characterizes as misinformation and the targeting of specific demographics. According to Dan Cassino, a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University who studies masculinity and politics, Pratt's accusations against Bass and Raman of "running a grift with the Homeless Industrial Complex" are "a vague and unsubstantiated claim aimed at whipping up his fans online," noting "These are the sorts of things that play very well in red-pilled forums where there's this idea that everyone is in control of their lives". Progressive observers note that "Many creatives in Los Angeles, a historically progressive city, have already expressed a distaste for the use of generative AI—which could pose a risk to Pratt". Left-leaning coverage appears to downplay or question the effectiveness of Pratt's strategy despite his polling gains. Former LA City Councilman Mike Bonin, now director of the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State LA, emphasized that Pratt is leveraging "the well-oiled right-wing online media machine," noting "Unlike left-leaning candidates, right-leaning candidates come into an internet ecosystem that is well-practiced in promoting itself through its various networks", suggesting structural advantage rather than grassroots support.

Right-Leaning Perspective

Right-leaning outlets and conservative figures have celebrated Pratt's campaign as a fresh approach to politics and an effective challenge to entrenched Democratic leadership. A right-leaning analysis noted Pratt "has emerged as a dominant force in the city's mayoral race, showcasing to Angelenos that neither Mayor Bass nor Nithya Raman can be the solution to the city's problems if they have long been part of its downfall," praising his "highly effective online campaign with sharp, attention-grabbing ads". California Republican strategist Matt Shupe argued the campaign represents a "real sort of lightning in a bottle opportunity" in a city long controlled by Democrats. Conservative coverage frames Pratt's combative style as authenticity and strength. Steve Bannon stated "Pratt knows it's not politics, it's drama" and "He's got a warrior mentality," treating these as positive attributes. RedState commentary praised Pratt's quick replies explaining voter anger, writing he explained the anger "Yeah. Over her failed leadership". The Hill noted Pratt "displayed a noteworthy mix of confidence and message discipline for a political newcomer," with "attacks on Bass and Raman...pointed" and returning "to a central argument: Los Angeles needs a change from Bass's leadership". However, even conservative figures express some caution. Even Bannon, while supportive, noted "If Bannon found any criticism of Pratt's campaign, it would be Pratt's shameless promotion of AI slop," warning "On the AI slop, he's one inch away from jumping the shark...It can be effective, but it's starting to get tiresome, and it could backfire if you promote it too much".

Deep Dive

Spencer Pratt's mayoral campaign represents a genuine inflection point in how digital-native politicians can weaponize online infrastructure to compete in traditionally Democratic cities. Pratt, a Republican running in a nonpartisan election, has "turned what might have been a predictable race into a genuinely competitive one," with his "campaign ads...racked up tens of millions of views and sparked a national conversation". The specific angle of this story—his use of AI-generated content and deliberately combative online tactics—is strategically different from simply running as an outsider. He combines "outlandish artificial intelligence videos" with "an army of freelance 'clippers'" while "borrowing the combative and mocking style of politics popular in fringe online forums and celebrated by allies of President Trump". Both sides of the political spectrum get important elements right and crucial elements wrong. Progressive critics correctly identify that many of Pratt's specific claims are unsubstantiated (the "super meth" reference, the homeless "grift" accusations) and that his use of AI contradicts stated concern for LA's entertainment workers. However, they underestimate the genuine voter appetite for alternative narratives about homelessness and fire response—Bass's absence during the Palisades Fire remains a real liability, regardless of Pratt's framing. Conservative analysts correctly recognize that Pratt is capturing authentic frustration with progressive governance in a city facing real challenges. Yet they risk overstating his chances by conflating internet virality with electoral viability; "registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one," presenting Pratt with a serious structural challenge in a November general election, which even Bannon acknowledges could make him "the biggest gift to Karen Bass." The real unknown is whether June 2's primary results will prove internet dominance translates to actual voting behavior, or whether Pratt peaks on social media while traditional voters lean on party registration or trust in Bass's institutional experience. As Mike Bonin summarized, "Winning the internet is not the same thing as winning the election, but it can help"—an observation both sides could usefully internalize.

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Spencer Pratt Runs for Los Angeles Mayor Using AI and Combative Online Strategy

Spencer Pratt's LA mayoral campaign uses AI videos, combative rhetoric, and an army of online "clippers" to bash city leaders, sparking debate over digital campaign tactics.

May 21, 2026
What's Going On

Spencer Pratt has amplified outlandish artificial intelligence videos including lightsaber duels between him and Mayor Karen Bass and depictions of himself as Batman descending on a burning Los Angeles, while his campaign tapped an army of freelance "clippers" to edit short social media snippets bashing city leaders. His favorite pejorative for Bass is "Karen Basura" and he calls the mayor's supporters "Bassholes," cruel bully-like language catering to young men online. Pratt talks about nonexistent "super meth" plaguing the city's streets and pushed false narratives about California lawmakers' response to the Palisades Fire. The key difference with Pratt is that he's using the leverage of the well-oiled right-wing online media machine, where "right-leaning candidates come into an internet ecosystem that is well-practiced in promoting itself through its various networks". Polls show Pratt and Raman neck and neck with Bass commanding a comfortable lead, with the June 2 jungle primary determining if a November runoff is necessary.

Left says: A Karen Bass campaign spokesperson released a statement: "Spencer is doing his best Trump impression, but it's not going to work in LA". Progressive critics argue Pratt's AI videos mock the entertainment workers whose jobs are threatened by the technology.
Right says: Conservative outlets praise his campaign as "going into hyperdrive...with both common sense and humor", viewing Pratt as tapping into legitimate voter frustration with Democratic leadership.
✓ Common Ground
Both progressive and some right-leaning analysts acknowledge that Pratt's strategy represents a meaningful shift in how online campaigns operate, with "some political experts" seeing "it's a strategy...as the future of online campaigning".
Even conservative figures like Steve Bannon and left-leaning analysts share concern that excessive AI videos "risk turning off voters who can see them as trivializing the race".
Observers across the spectrum acknowledge Los Angeles faces genuine challenges with homelessness, crime, and quality-of-life issues that Pratt is successfully leveraging in his messaging.
There appears to be agreement that the nonpartisan jungle primary format (where party registration doesn't appear on the ballot) changes traditional electoral math and gives Pratt a structural opportunity others might lack.
Objective Deep Dive

Spencer Pratt's mayoral campaign represents a genuine inflection point in how digital-native politicians can weaponize online infrastructure to compete in traditionally Democratic cities. Pratt, a Republican running in a nonpartisan election, has "turned what might have been a predictable race into a genuinely competitive one," with his "campaign ads...racked up tens of millions of views and sparked a national conversation". The specific angle of this story—his use of AI-generated content and deliberately combative online tactics—is strategically different from simply running as an outsider. He combines "outlandish artificial intelligence videos" with "an army of freelance 'clippers'" while "borrowing the combative and mocking style of politics popular in fringe online forums and celebrated by allies of President Trump".

Both sides of the political spectrum get important elements right and crucial elements wrong. Progressive critics correctly identify that many of Pratt's specific claims are unsubstantiated (the "super meth" reference, the homeless "grift" accusations) and that his use of AI contradicts stated concern for LA's entertainment workers. However, they underestimate the genuine voter appetite for alternative narratives about homelessness and fire response—Bass's absence during the Palisades Fire remains a real liability, regardless of Pratt's framing. Conservative analysts correctly recognize that Pratt is capturing authentic frustration with progressive governance in a city facing real challenges. Yet they risk overstating his chances by conflating internet virality with electoral viability; "registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one," presenting Pratt with a serious structural challenge in a November general election, which even Bannon acknowledges could make him "the biggest gift to Karen Bass."

The real unknown is whether June 2's primary results will prove internet dominance translates to actual voting behavior, or whether Pratt peaks on social media while traditional voters lean on party registration or trust in Bass's institutional experience. As Mike Bonin summarized, "Winning the internet is not the same thing as winning the election, but it can help"—an observation both sides could usefully internalize.

◈ Tone Comparison

Left-leaning coverage uses evaluative language like "outlandish," "false," "unsubstantiated," and "inflammatory," employing a fact-checking frame. Right-wing outlets use celebratory language like "warrior mentality," "fresh alternative," and "common sense and humor," adopting an insurgent-candidate frame. Notably, both sides use some identical descriptors—"drama" and "viral"—but with opposite valuations.