Spencer Pratt Embraces Trump-Style Campaign in Los Angeles Mayoral Race

Spencer Pratt, the reality TV personality turned mayoral candidate, is openly embracing comparisons to former President Donald Trump. On Sunday, Pratt reposted a CNN segment in which Caroline Sunshine, a former communications aide to Trump’s 2024 campaign, drew striking parallels between Pratt’s campaign and Trump’s 2016 presidential bid.

“I think Spencer Pratt could be the next mayor of Los Angeles, and I’ll tell you why,” Sunshine said. “The last time a reality television star who was politically incorrect ran for office, he ended up all the way at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And Spencer Pratt is reminding me of the saying, ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.’ He has all the makings.”

Pratt shared the segment on his X account on Saturday, May 9, 2026, writing:

Pratt, who entered the race after his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, has seen a surge in polling by adopting a populist message. His campaign has featured aggressive attacks on key opponents, including incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman, and Governor Gavin Newsom.

“I don’t even have to use the Donald Trump example,” Sunshine continued. “He has the charisma of Mamdani, of AOC, Trump. He has that outsider, anti-establishment energy, and he is good at harnessing attention.”

Sunshine also highlighted Pratt’s campaign structure—or lack thereof—as a strategic advantage. Unlike traditional campaigns burdened by large staffs, physical offices, or party backing (Pratt is a registered Republican but running without party support), his lean operation mirrors Trump’s 2016 approach.

“He is running, tactically speaking, a very nimble, agile, smart campaign,” Sunshine said. “I can tell that campaign is not being governed by committee. My guess is it’s a very small team of five to six people who, just like Trump in 2016, are able to move a lot faster than bloated political consultant-type campaigns.”

Sunshine also drew attention to Pratt’s debate-stage and social media rhetoric, comparing it directly to Trump’s playbook. “People are saying they don’t like his politically [incorrect] comments,” she noted. “Maybe when he suggested that Nithya Raman go ask people who are homeless under the freeway for treatment, they were going to get stabbed in the neck—and people were really offended by that. Well, guess what? In Venice, California today, we had a man get his arm sliced off with a samurai sword. So Spencer Pratt, it looks like is way more in touch with reality than the rest of the candidates on that stage.”

Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, host of the “No Lie With Brian Tyler Cohen” podcast, agreed with Sunshine’s comparison—but cautioned that Pratt’s approach could backfire. “What could possibly go wrong with a longtime reality star who speaks bluntly, knows how to game the media, and decides that he wants to be a politician?” Cohen said. “I think that would actually carry more weight if Donald Trump’s approval rating wasn’t what it is right now, and if he wasn’t,”