A woke attack advertisement targeting Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt has been widely mocked for inadvertently serving as a powerful endorsement for the former reality television star. The ad, released by the LA County Federation of Labor, quickly went viral on social media as it attempted to criticize Pratt's reportedly hardline positions on homelessness, policing, and union influence—stances that many voters may actually find sensible.
The advertisement declares: 'Republican Spencer Pratt is the last thing Los Angeles needs for mayor.' It goes on to state: 'Pratt opposes using taxpayer money to build brand new houses for unhoused neighbors, saying it's time for the homeless to get help or get out.' Despite Los Angeles grappling with widespread crime and open-air drug use, the ad also appears to assume that voters would be deterred by Pratt's pledge to enhance policing across the city.
The ad further claims: 'Pratt thinks L.A. needs thousands more police officers rather than more social workers.' It adds: 'Republican Spencer Pratt thinks public employee unions should have less power, not more... LA is on the right track and needs to stay the course. Vote no on Republican Spencer Pratt.' The attack ad was met with ridicule as many observers argued that the messaging could actually bolster the campaign of the former The Hills star, which has gained momentum following a breakout debate against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and hard-left rival Nithya Raman last week.
According to Los Angeles Ethics Commission filings, the advertisement was funded by an independent committee called 'LA Unions Opposed to Spencer Pratt for Mayor 2026.' The group spent $221,000 on the ad, even as many suggested it might inadvertently help Pratt ahead of the June 2 election.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz led the mockery, writing on X: 'This attack ad could well elect Pratt.' Another critic posted: 'I don't think I've ever seen an attack ad that comes across as an endorsement like this one.' The Daily Mail has contacted Pratt's campaign and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor for comment.
Pratt's candidacy has gained traction with just weeks to go until election day. During a debate last week, his chances of winning skyrocketed after several breakout moments. In one exchange that reportedly left Raman fuming at a reporter afterward, Pratt blasted her as a 'random city council member' and called her a 'failure.'
Pratt was widely seen as the victor in the debate, with 79 percent of viewers telling NBC that they believed he outperformed Bass and Raman. As part of his hardline platform addressing Los Angeles' social issues, Pratt recently unveiled plans to implement a three-week 'grace period' to warn criminals, drug users, and homeless individuals to leave the city before he takes action.
Speaking on the All In podcast, he emphasized that the city is 'worth saving' and suggested his mayoralty would begin with a brief reprieve for those committing crimes and the homeless. 'My plan, the first three weeks, signs up across the city: no more nakedness, no more drug use, no more robbing, no worse, no more dog abuse,' he said. He explained that his team would then warn everyone that 'you got three more weeks of this, clock's ticking.' Pratt believes this will demonstrate to those propagating crime that 'there's a mayor in town' and may even encourage some troublemakers to leave. 'After that, once we start enforcing the laws: boom! Streets will be back,' he promised. He also suggested bringing in the Centers for Disease Control to address 'medieval diseases' in LA's homeless encampments.
Pratt launched his campaign after becoming a vocal critic of Mayor Bass's tenure, particularly after his $3.8 million family home burned down in the Palisades fire in January 2025. Although he registered as a Republican for the election, Pratt stated that his campaign is not centered on party affiliation, focusing instead on fixing Los Angeles' homelessness and drug issues.
Recent polls show Pratt making gains ahead of the June 2 vote, with the election heading to a runoff on November 3 if no candidate secures over 50 percent of the vote. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Poll last month showed Pratt at 14 percent support, behind Bass at 25 percent and Raman at 17 percent. The debate appeared to strengthen Pratt's position, with pundits noting that the reality TV star came across as slick and no-nonsense compared to his competitors.
