Hannah Einbinder, star of the acclaimed series “Hacks,” took aim at Spencer Pratt on Friday as he campaigns for the mayoral seat in Los Angeles.
During an appearance at the Critics Choice Association’s event celebrating LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, the 31-year-old actress expressed her belief that Pratt’s rising support is primarily fueled by financial interests.
“Los Angeles is a wealthy city, and many people present themselves as Democrats or left-leaning, but their main concern is money, which drives them to support candidates like Spencer Pratt,” Einbinder told Variety. “It’s crucial to challenge this mentality.”
Pratt, known for his role on “The Hills,” is 42 and is vying to replace the current Mayor, Karen Bass, who is 72. His campaign focuses on issues such as homelessness and crime, despite most crime rates having declined during Bass’s administration.
Einbinder’s remarks come shortly after her HBO show “Hacks” concluded its five-season run. Her comments also followed the endorsement of Pratt’s campaign by Scooter Braun, the boyfriend of actress Sydney Sweeney.
She acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting, “There are no perfect candidates.”
Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, 31, said it was ‘important to resist’ the impact of money in the LA mayor’s election as she slammed Spencer Pratt while chatting with Variety on Friday at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television (pictured)
The former Hills star, 42, is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass , 72, while ramping up concerns about homelessness and crime in LA, though rates for most types of crime have decreased during Bass’s tenure; Pratt is pictured on Thursday on Fox & Friends in NYC
‘I’m underwhelmed in a lot of ways,’ she continued, before adding that she was supporting LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left on an affordability platform reminiscent of the one Zohran Mamdani used in his successful campaign to be elected New York City mayor.
Einbinder – who is the daughter of former Saturday Night Live star Laraine Newman and writer Chad Einbinder – stressed that she was trying to be ‘pragmatic’ about who she was voting for.
She also emphasized that it wasn’t just about finding someone to the left of Pratt when Variety’s Marc Malkin said he wanted her to run for office.
‘You don’t. You don’t, and neither do I. No!’ Einbinder shot back. ‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna.’
She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor.
When Variety asked her who she thought should get the job, Rinna admitted that she wasn’t sure, before adding, ‘Not a reality star, though.’
‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star. ‘We’re not going to do that again.’
She admitted to being a ‘reality person’ herself and said, ‘You wouldn’t want me as mayor, really. I mean, let’s just face it, I love him. I think he’s amazing. I just think we did that.’
Einbinder said she was ‘underwhelmed’ with her choices for mayor, but she plans to vote for LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left
Einbinder, who spoke out the day after the series finale of HBO’s Hacks aired, said only people with knowledge and expertise should run for office after it was suggested that she run for office; pictured with Hacks costar Jean Smart
‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna,’ she said. She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor; seen Friday in LA
‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said Rinna about electing a reality star on Monday at the AMAs (pictured). ‘We’re not going to do that again’
In response to Einbinder’s interview, Pratt blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day’; pictured with wife Heidi Montage in May 2025 in Las Vegas
‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote in a post on X
Rinna added that she didn’t understand the apparent surge in support behind Pratt, who has placed in second or third behind Bass in multiple recent polls, including a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll commissioned by the Los Angeles Times that was released this week, which showed 26 percent of respondents backing Bass, while 25 percent said they support Raman and 22 percent plan to vote for Pratt in the primary on June 2.
On Friday, Einbinder laid out her suggestion for the kind of people who should be elected instead of reality stars.
‘We need to have people who work in housing, and tenants rights lawyers, and people with actual expertise in these positions,’ she emphasized. ‘Like, please, God!’
In response to Einbinder’s interview with Variety, Pratt lashed out at the stand-up comedian on X later on Friday.
He blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day.’
‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote.
Einbinder has previously been vocal about her support for the Palestinian people and her distaste for AI.
Last month, she mocked AI creators trying to integrate the technology into Hollywood as ‘losers’ who are ‘trying to rob real creatives’ at a press conference on Hacks’ final season.
‘The people who make this stuff are losers,’ she said, via SlashFilm. ‘They’re not artists. They’re not creative. And they’ve wanted their whole lives to be special. And they’re not special.
‘They’re trying to rob real creative people of our gifts. And you can’t. And even if you try, you will never be cool. You guys suck. No one likes you,’ Einbinder continued. ‘Anyone who’s near you is because they crave power and access over any ethical standard. You are a loser. You will never be cool.’
She added that AI creators ‘probably had a rolly backpack in high school,’ adding, ‘I wanna put your head in the toilet and flush.’
