Republican Candidate Doubles Down After Trump Endorsement Possibility
A surprising exchange involving President Donald Trump and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is drawing attention just days before voters head to the polls.
While many political candidates would eagerly welcome support from a sitting president, Pratt says endorsements are not what will decide the future of Los Angeles.
Instead, he believes voters are focused on something much closer to home: safety, accountability, and restoring confidence in city leadership.
Pratt Dismisses National Politics
Speaking with NBC News, Pratt made it clear that he is not building his campaign around national political figures.
“I don’t need anyone’s endorsement but mothers’,” Pratt said. “That’s who’s getting me elected.”
The Republican candidate argued that local elections should be decided by local concerns, not by political battles taking place in Washington.
According to Pratt, Los Angeles residents are increasingly frustrated by rising crime, homelessness, declining quality of life, and what many view as government mismanagement.
“This is a local race,” Pratt said. “People want to feel safe. They want clean streets. They want a city that works.”
Trump Praises Pratt Ahead Of Election
The comments came after President Trump spoke favorably about Pratt while answering questions from reporters.
Trump described Pratt as a strong supporter of the MAGA movement and said he would like to see him succeed.
“He’s a big MAGA person,” Trump said. “I’d like to see him do well.”
Despite the praise, Pratt quickly shifted attention back to issues affecting everyday residents rather than national politics.
His response surprised many observers who expected him to embrace the president’s public support more aggressively.
Wildfire Fallout Helped Launch His Campaign
Pratt’s political rise began after the devastating Palisades wildfire that destroyed his family home.
The former reality television star has become one of Mayor Karen Bass’s most outspoken critics, arguing that city leaders failed residents before, during, and after the disaster.
He has repeatedly accused local officials of negligence, lack of transparency, and poor leadership.
Pratt says those concerns ultimately pushed him into the race.
“I started this to expose corruption and negligence,” he said.
According to Pratt, residents deserve answers about decisions made during the wildfire response and recovery efforts.
New Complaint Filed Against Mayor Bass
The race has become increasingly heated in recent days.
Pratt recently filed a complaint alleging that Mayor Bass may have violated local election rules through campaign-related social media activity near voting locations.
He has called for city officials to investigate the matter and determine whether election laws were broken.
The allegation adds another layer of controversy to an already competitive contest.
Mayor Bass has not been removed from her position and remains the frontrunner in most public polling.
A Surprisingly Competitive Race
Although Bass continues to lead most surveys, Pratt has emerged as one of the race’s most unexpected contenders.
Recent polling has shown him battling for second place alongside Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
For a candidate who first gained fame on reality television, the rapid rise has surprised political observers.
Still, voter dissatisfaction with city leadership has created opportunities for challengers seeking change.
What Happens Next?
Los Angeles voters will cast ballots in the June 2 mayoral primary.
All candidates will appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation.
If a candidate secures a majority of the votes cast, they will be declared the winner outright. Should no candidate earn more than half of the vote, the two candidates with the highest vote totals will move on to a runoff contest later this year.
With public safety, homelessness, wildfire recovery, and government accountability dominating voter concerns, the outcome could signal whether residents want to continue the current direction of city leadership—or pursue a different path.