Spencer Pratt, the reality television star turned Los Angeles mayoral candidate, has lashed out at a journalist who questioned his claim to live within the city limits. The confrontation unfolded on social media after Variety journalist Marlow Stern pointed out that Pratt appears to be residing in Santa Barbara, not Los Angeles.
Residency Under Scrutiny
Pratt has repeatedly stated in campaign materials that he lives in a trailer on the site of his Pacific Palisades home, which was destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles fires of 2025. However, recent reports suggest that Pratt has been dividing his time between a luxury hotel in Los Angeles and a rental property in Santa Barbara, a city located approximately 100 miles northwest of downtown LA.
The controversy erupted when Stern commented on X, formerly known as Twitter, suggesting that Pratt's primary residence is actually in Santa Barbara. Pratt responded with a fiery retort, accusing journalists of mocking victims of the wildfires and of deterring 'decent people' from entering politics through such intense scrutiny.
Pratt's Defensive Response
In a series of posts, Pratt expressed his frustration, stating, 'You think this is funny? People lost everything in those fires, and you're trying to score cheap points.' He further claimed that the constant questioning of his residency is part of a broader pattern of harassment that discourages honest individuals from seeking public office.
Pratt's campaign has not provided additional documentation to clarify his primary residence. The rules for mayoral candidacy in Los Angeles require candidates to be registered voters in the city, but do not mandate a specific length of residency within city limits at the time of filing.
Background on the Fires
The 2025 Los Angeles fires were among the most destructive in the city's history, destroying thousands of homes, including Pratt's Pacific Palisades property. Pratt has been vocal about his recovery efforts, often using his personal experience to connect with voters who also suffered losses.
Despite the controversy, Pratt remains a prominent candidate in the mayoral race, leveraging his celebrity status and a platform focused on disaster recovery and housing reform. His campaign has yet to comment on the specific claims about his current living arrangements.
