Spencer Pratt has unveiled an ambitious initiative to tackle crime and homelessness in Los Angeles, claiming he has the backing of billionaires eager to collaborate with him.
The former reality TV personality, now 42, shared his vision on Sunday as his independent campaign gained traction against Karen Bass and socialist candidate Nithya Raman in the lead-up to the June 2 mayoral election, prompting unions to roll out attack ads against him.
“Here’s my strategy: In the first three weeks, we’ll put up signs citywide. No more public nudity, no drug use, no theft, and no mistreatment of animals,” he explained during the All-In podcast.
“Once we start enforcing these regulations, the streets will transform,” he stated confidently.
“People are living amidst filth, drug abuse, and even animal cruelty. It’s essential to clean up these streets,” Pratt continued, expressing his desire to involve the CDC in investigating the “medieval diseases” plaguing homeless encampments.
Pratt envisions leveraging Los Angeles’ economic prowess to elevate it to the “top city in the world,” with plans to cut bureaucratic hurdles and fast-track development projects.
“When I’m mayor there are going to be so many cranes in the city cause I’m going to be rebuilding,” he said.
“Just last week I probably met with ten billionaires that are ready to come in and build LA.”
Spencer Pratt said he’d spoken to prominent film and television producer Peter Chernin about how to help revive Hollywood if elected — and was told the key was backing independent filmmakers rather than trying to overhaul the entire entertainment industry from City Hall.
”He said, ‘Spencer, as mayor you are not going to be able to change the bigger picture of Hollywood — that’s more governor,” Pratt explained.
”But what you can do to really bring back jobs, bring back Hollywood, is bring back independent filmmakers, independent production, independent artists. If you prioritize the indies, you can have Hollywood booming in a tier that people didn’t see coming.”
Pratt also argued Los Angeles’ notoriously slow housing permitting system could be dramatically sped up with artificial intelligence, blasting City Hall bureaucracy as dysfunctional and outdated.
”We have to bring in AI,” he said, claiming developer Rick Caruso had previously offered an AI zoning program to Mayor Karen Bass.
”Right now it’s like out of a bad movie, and nobody is even in these offices because they all work remote. We’re in crazy land.”
Pratt’s comments came as the LA County Federation of Labor, which is affiliated with over 300 union and labor organizations representing 800,000 members, released a nasty attack add calling him a Republican and claiming he was the “the last thing Los Angeles needs.”
Pratt is a registered Republican but running as an independent in the mayor’s race.
“Pratt opposes using taxpayer money to build brand new houses for our unhoused neighbors, saying it’s time for the homeless to ‘get help or get out,’’ the ad says.
Dan Schnur, who teaches political communications at UC Berkley, said labelling him incorrectly as a Republican candidate was a deliberate, strategic move.
”It’s always going to be a steep uphill fight for a Republican running in a deep blue city like Los Angeles, but he held his own and then some,” he said of Pratt’s debate performance.
After the NBC4 debate, 90% of viewers said Spencer beat Bass and Raman, which is significant with the latest UCLA Luskin poll showing at least 40% of Los Angeles’ residents are undecided about who to vote for on June 2.
The poll showed Bass was still leading by 25%, while Pratt was second with 11%, and Raman third at just 9%.
”This type of response from Bass’ allies demonstrate that he did himself some real good.”
“They know how to run against the Republican in a deep blue city,” Schnur said. “They clearly believe that running against a more progressive opponent would be a lot trickier, so if they can help Pratt make it through the primary they obviously believe that’s to their benefit.”
Pratt attacked the ”political machine” lining up against him, saying he’d continue to call out ”liars” after copping blow-back for using the word to describe his rivals.
“People argue with me all day long in every single media hit that I’ve done for months because they don’t want me to get into the machine, so every interview I do, unlike this politicians, it’s opposition, it’s arguing, arguing, arguing,” Pratt said.
“When Mayor Bass or Councilwoman Raman talk to the media they can just lie.”
Just days after Pratt being hailed as the winner of his first televised debate on Wednesday, Bass announced she was dropping out of a follow up on FOX 11.
Bass claimed she will be in Sacramento fighting to get funding for housing, homelessness and Palisades Fire recovery. Pratt also declined to take the stage, citing a scheduling conflict.
