Reality television personality Spencer Pratt has launched a scathing attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to rebuilding after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The criticism comes exactly one year after the fires ravaged areas including Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and coincides with Pratt's recent announcement that he is officially running for Mayor of Los Angeles.
Social Media Confrontation Over Recovery Funds
The 42-year-old star of The Hills took to his X account on Tuesday to voice strong objections to Newsom's response to former President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at fast-tracking the wildfire rebuilding process. Pratt, who recently admitted to leaking photos of Mary-Kate Olsen, directly challenged the governor's management of recovery resources.
"Nobody actually believes that giving the STATE money will help fire victims rebuild their homes," Pratt wrote in his social media post. "We have all seen billions of federal dollars fall into Newsom's bottomless money pit, without a single dollar seen by the intended recipients."
Newsom's Defence and Ongoing Dispute
Governor Newsom had previously shared a headline from the California Post reading: 'Trump tells feds to take over permitting to fast-track wildfire rebuild HELP IS ON THE WAY.' In response, Newsom defended his administration's progress, stating that over 1,625 home permits have been issued with hundreds of homes under construction, and permitting timelines are at least twice as fast as before the fires.
The governor argued that "an executive order to rebuild Mars would do just as useful" and emphasised that "the main obstacle is COMMUNITIES NOT HAVING THE MONEY TO REBUILD." Newsom called on federal authorities to release disaster aid rather than taking over local permit approval processes.
Personal Loss Fuels Political Ambition
Pratt's criticism is deeply personal, as he lost his Pacific Palisades home where he lived with his wife Heidi Montag and their two children, Gunner, eight, and Ryker, three. His parents also lost their residence in the deadly blazes that occurred in early January last year. This personal tragedy appears to have catalysed his unexpected entry into politics.
Earlier this month, Pratt announced his mayoral campaign during the They Let Us Burn! protest in the Palisades, declaring: "The system in Los Angeles isn't struggling, it's fundamentally broken." He described it as "a machine designed to protect the people at the top" while ordinary residents suffer.
Allegations of Negligence and Secrecy
Pratt has repeatedly accused California officials of negligence in their handling of the wildfire crisis. In a recent letter exchange, Newsom's office stated they had "no records responsive" to Pratt's request for text messages regarding the Pacific Palisades fires between January 6 and 9, 2025. Pratt publicly questioned the credibility of this response.
In his new book, The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions, Pratt references Newsom and argues the fires resulted from "decades of budget cuts, ignored warnings and politicians who cared more about their careers than our lives." He has labelled the governor "Mr. Hair Gel" and a "C-list reality star" in his criticisms.
From Reality Star to Political Candidate
Pratt's transition from television personality to political candidate represents a significant shift in his public persona. During an appearance on Fox & Friends, he revealed: "I never wanted to be mayor. I don't want to be in politics. I want to be back in my house with my family." However, he felt compelled to act after what he perceived as systemic failures.
The reality star has documented the destruction of his family home, including photographs of a burnt tricycle belonging to one of his children and images of himself searching through debris for personal artifacts. Only the charred entry gate and front portion of the perimeter wall remained standing after the fires.
Broader Implications for California Politics
This confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal approaches to disaster recovery in California. Pratt's accusations that "CA politicians are mad the Feds are trying to help Palisades Fire victims directly" instead of sending funds through state channels underscores deeper political divisions.
As Pratt challenges current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for her position, his campaign focuses heavily on accountability for wildfire response and recovery. He has not revealed which political party he represents, instead positioning himself as an outsider determined to expose what he calls systemic failures in Los Angeles governance.
The ongoing dispute between Pratt and Newsom continues to develop, with both parties presenting contrasting visions for how California should approach disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts following catastrophic wildfires.
