Trump’s Praise for Spencer Pratt Complicates LA Mayor Race

Context Los Angeles remains a deep‑blue stronghold where Donald Trump is historically unpopular, especially after immigration agents detained residents in city streets last year. Pratt, known from *The Hills*, lost his home in the 2023 wildfires and has built his campaign on frustration over slow recovery, cost‑of‑living pressures, and homelessness. Though he previously registered as a Republican, Pratt says his focus is strictly local issues such as water, power, police, fire, potholes, sidewalks, and streetlights.

Key Facts Trump told a reporter he would like to see Pratt do well, said he does not know him but assumes Pratt supports him, and called Pratt a “big MAGA person.” Pratt is currently polling second in the race, trailing incumbent Karen Bass. Bass accused Trump and Pratt of wanting ICE to invade Los Angeles and detain residents, saying she has stood up to ICE to protect communities.

What It Means The endorsement risks alienating progressive voters who view Trump as toxic in LA, potentially boosting Bass and progressive challenger Nithya Raman. Pratt must distance himself from the MAGA label while retaining the attention Trump’s comment brought. Analysts warn that any perception of a national‑political alliance could undermine his local‑issue message.

Watch how Pratt responds in the coming weeks—whether he explicitly rejects the MAGA tag, how Bass and Raman leverage the controversy in their outreach, and whether polling shifts before the primary.