Spencer Pratt has vowed to crack down on what he calls the 'mind virus' of anti-Semitism and end violence against Jewish people in a scathing message to a journalist. The former reality TV star and candidate for Los Angeles Mayor, 42, said in a leaked direct message to journalist James Li that he has been 'horrified to see how the Jewish community has been vilified' and pledged to stop it if elected.
'I will have ZERO tolerance for it,' Pratt wrote in a lengthy message. 'Anti-Semitism is a legitimate mind virus and a sign of a decaying society. Let's be honest, this is a culture problem.'
Pratt, a vocal critic of incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, blames far-left leaders like her for fomenting hate against Jews, with pro-Hamas protests erupting numerous times on her watch in recent years. 'That BS stops when I am mayor,' he said.
His main course of action would be to step up policing against anti-Semitic targets, including 'directing the LAPD to ramp up patrols around synagogues and Chabad centers.'
Pratt's Surge in the Mayoral Race
Li shared the texts as Pratt's candidacy for LA mayor has surged in recent weeks. The journalist wrote that he would 'not bet against Spencer to win.' Pratt was seen as a longshot candidate when he launched his campaign in January, but his odds skyrocketed after a media blitz and a breakout debate against his rivals, Bass and city councilwoman Nithya Raman.
Li began his conversation by asking Pratt how he plans to clamp down on the rise in anti-Semitism across LA, particularly on college campuses. Many campuses became breeding grounds for anti-Semitism after the Israel-Gaza war, with protests often devolving from criticism of the Israeli government into outright condemnation of Jews.
Pratt said he would not be deterred by social media trends. 'I don't care how en vogue it is. I will never abandon my Jewish brothers and sisters,' he wrote.
Criticism of Mayor Bass
In a follow-up message, Pratt lampooned Bass for failing to end anti-Semitism on college campuses, accusing her of being unable to use the power of her office properly. 'Unfortunately, the mayor has no authority over the chancellors at universities. So it comes down to using the bully pulpit to shame and pressure them to act in defense of Jewish students and faculty.'
The former reality star boasted that unlike Bass, 'nobody is better at that than me.' He added, 'I will be their worst nightmare if they don't get in gear. I will also lean on DOJ and District Attorney Hochman to aggressively pursue civil rights prosecutions. We've seen this movie before, and this cr*p ain't happening on my watch. 'Never again' is right now.'
Viral Response and Campaign Platform
Pratt's no-nonsense response to anti-Semitism drew millions of views on X, following an apparent 'attack ad' by a union in Los Angeles that many deemed an accidental endorsement. The ad, released by the LA County Federation of Labor, criticized Pratt's supposed hardline stances on homelessness, policing, and union power, but many voters found them sensible.
'Republican Spencer Pratt is the last thing Los Angeles needs for mayor,' the ad said. '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 LA's issues with crime and drug use, the ad also criticized Pratt's vow to step up policing. 'Pratt thinks LA needs thousands more police officers rather than more social workers.'
Despite the ad's attempt to turn voters away, Pratt has leaned into his hardline policing stance. As part of his platform, he recently unveiled plans to implement a three-week 'grace period' to warn criminals, drug users, and homeless people to leave the city before he takes action.
Speaking on the All In podcast, he said, 'My plan, the first three weeks, signs up across the city: no more nakedness, no more drug use, no more robbing, no more dog abuse.' He believes this will show troublemakers that 'there's a mayor in town' and make some leave. 'After that, once we start enforcing the laws: boom! Streets will be back,' he promised.
