world-economy

Reality TV Star Pratt Pursues LA Mayor Seat With Aggressive Social Media Campaign

Spencer Pratt, the 42-year-old former reality television personality, is mounting an unconventional campaign for Los Angeles mayor centered on provocative social media content and combative rhetoric. Pratt's strategy includes distributing viral videos, including AI-generated content depicting lightsaber duels with Mayor Karen Bass and himself as Batman. His campaign has enlisted freelance "clippers" to create short-form social media clips attacking city leadership. His campaign has promoted false narratives about nonexistent "super meth" plaguing city streets and false claims about California's response to the Palisades Fire. Political observers view his approach as emblematic of emerging online campaign tactics. Pratt, a Republican, faces Democratic incumbent Karen Bass in the city's June 2 nonpartisan primary election. Trump ally Steve Bannon noted the campaign mirrors confrontational styles prevalent in online forums, saying "Trump's superpower was bringing in people into politics who hate politics, and that's what he's doing online right now."