Reality TV star Spencer Pratt torched California Democrats and launched a shock mayoral bid as Hollywood frustration boiled over into open rebellion against blue-city leadership.
Pratt announced his run for mayor of Los Angeles Wednesday during a Palisades protest marking one year since wildfires destroyed his home, turning personal loss into political fuel.
The former reality television fixture framed his campaign as a direct response to what he called catastrophic failures by state and city leaders following the fires.
“I am running for mayor,” Pratt declared at the rally, positioning himself as an outsider ready to take on entrenched power.
It’s official. I’m running for Mayor of LA. I’ve waited a whole year for someone to step up and challenge Karen Bass, but I saw no fighters. Guess I’m gonna have to do this myself.
Let’s make LA camera ready again! #MayorPratt #PrattForMayor #SpencerPrattForMayor pic.twitter.com/akXG8Jd7H3
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) January 8, 2026
“And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, it is a mission,” he continued, sharpening his message around systemic change.
“And we are going to expose the system. WE are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting this city with our light,” Pratt added.
“And when we are done, LA is going to be camera ready again,” he concluded, leaning into his celebrity roots.
Pratt has emerged as one of the loudest critics of Democratic leadership after the January 2025 fires that destroyed more than 6,000 homes and killed 12 people.
He has repeatedly targeted California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accusing them of mismanagement and political indifference.
Pratt amplified those attacks online Wednesday, accusing Newsom of forcing fire victims to “kick the can down the road” while rolling out rebuilding announcements.
One Year After the Fires: Spencer Runs For Mayor, What's Changed, and What’s at Stake Now with UFLAC President Freddy Escobar – must watch new episode of #TheFameGame out now! 💫❣️ pic.twitter.com/KYfw8vC3H6
— Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) January 8, 2026
In separate posts, Pratt argued that the governor’s executive actions were designed to benefit donors and allies instead of displaced residents.
His wife, Heidi Montag, echoed those claims and went even further in assigning blame.
“They intentionally let us burn before, during and after,” Montag said while addressing the fires.
“There was no accountability. It was gross negligence,” she added.
“They let this happen. It wasn’t a natural disaster or something that was unavoidable. It was their fault, and we need the accountability we deserve,” Montag continued.
Pratt’s surprise campaign quickly drew support from high-profile political figures aligned with President Donald Trump.
Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell offered an early endorsement and pledged financial backing.
I endorse @spencerpratt for Mayor of Los Angeles and will help raise money for him.
Transparency is what we need.
Spencer has the passion and the drive to make positive change for Los Angeles. https://t.co/Fp6X8EyYlk
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 7, 2026
“I endorse Specner Pratt for Mayor of Los Angeles and will help raise money for him,” Grenell wrote on X.
“Transparency is what we need. Spencer has the passion and the drive to make positive change for Los Angeles,” he added.
Pratt’s announcement landed as another entertainer on the opposite coast launched a parallel political crusade.
Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport used his podcast to declare his intention to run for mayor of New York City in the coming years.
Rapaport opened Monday’s episode of the “I Am Rapaport” podcast by theatrically branding himself “Mayor Rapaport” before making his announcement official.
“Let me tell you something, guys, girls, women, children of all ages,” Rapaport told listeners while building toward the reveal.
“2025 was crazy, and I don’t see it getting any f—ing calmer or cooler in 2026, the way things started,” he continued.
“That’s why I’m running for mayor,” Rapaport announced.
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Rapaport acknowledged that the race is still years away but framed his declaration as a warning shot to New York’s new leadership.
“I’m announcing this today, because in a couple of hours, Zohran the Moron will be stepping in as the Mayor of New York,” he said.
“And I’m not going to sit back and wait for what the f— this bullshit artist, two-bit, con man is going to do,” Rapaport added.
“I am taking action,” he continued.
Rapaport repeated his timeline later in the episode, making clear he views the campaign as a long-term fight.
“I will be running for Mayor of New York in a few years,” he declared.
“I’m not playing games. I’m not bulls—ting around,” he said at another point.
“I will be running for Mayor of New York in a few years, 2028 — that’s when I will get started to take back New York City,” Rapaport stated.
“Come 2029, there’s gonna be a lot of f—ing problems for Zohran the Moron,” he added.
Rapaport centered his campaign message around rejecting promises of free services and confronting what he called political dishonesty.
“The first thing that I will be running my campaign on is there ain’t nothing free,” Rapaport said.
“I can’t guarantee you anything for free,” he added.
“I will do my best to protect New Yorkers. I will do my best to have New York be the most affordable, safest, lucrative city it could possibly be,” Rapaport continued.
Rapaport promised blunt accountability if he fails. “And if I screw up, I will acknowledge it, apologize, and try to do better,” he said.
The actor has been one of the most aggressive critics of newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, frequently attacking him across media platforms.
“We have a s— stain at the helm right now,” Rapaport said on the podcast. “I think he’s going to supersede our wildest fears and expectations,” he added.
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Rapaport also mocked Mamdani’s public image and political messaging. “This clown wants New Yorkers to think he’s one of us,” Rapaport said in a post.
“He ain’t from here. He don’t move like us, don’t talk like us, don’t live like us,” he added.
“A cosplay New Yorker with a fake smile and a script full of empty promises,” Rapaport continued.
Rapaport ended the episode by urging supporters to treat his campaign as real, not performance art.
“I know you guys think I’m playing,” he told listeners. “I’m not playing.”