Full Breakdown
Spencer Pratt Demands Retraction from LA Times Over Residency Claims
4/11/2026, 1:32:52 AM
Controversy Surrounding Mayoral Eligibility
Spencer Pratt, a candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral race, is demanding that The Los Angeles Times retract a story questioning his eligibility based on his residency status. The article, published on April 6, 2026, titled “Spencer Pratt’s move to Santa Barbara County after his Palisades house burned raises eligibility questions in L.A. mayor’s race,” suggests that Pratt's temporary relocation to Santa Barbara County following the destruction of his home in the 2025 Palisades fire could disqualify him from running for mayor.
Pratt's residence was destroyed during the wildfires, prompting him to move temporarily to his parents' house in Santa Barbara County. He maintains a vacant lot where his home once stood and has recently placed an Airstream trailer on the property. The Times' article included comments from various individuals, including a law professor, who raised concerns about Pratt's residency but did not provide substantial evidence to support their claims.
Official Statements & Responses
In a letter addressed to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of The Los Angeles Times, Pratt's team accused the publication of “willfully and maliciously publishing false information.” They argue that the article demonstrates “actual malice” and neglects domicile rules that allow fire victims like Pratt to run for office while temporarily displaced. Pratt's campaign asserts that he is a certified candidate by the LA City Clerk, which they believe confirms his eligibility.
Pratt's team contends that the LA Times' inquiries into his residency and eligibility are unwarranted, likening them to demanding proof of citizenship from someone with a passport. They emphasize that fire victims are permitted to maintain their vacant lots as their primary residence during recovery, and the city does not require a change in voter registration due to wildfire displacement.
Criticism of the LA Times
Pratt's representatives have criticized the article's authors, Noah Goldberg and Richard Winton, claiming they deliberately published misleading information without conducting thorough research. They argue that the piece was intended to provoke a negative response to Pratt's campaign, stating, “There must be consequences for their reckless disregard for the truth.”
What's Next
As the situation unfolds, Pratt has set a deadline for the LA Times to respond to his demands by 9 a.m. on April 13, 2026. The outcome of this dispute could have implications for both Pratt's campaign and the LA Times' journalistic practices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is not rocket science and it is clear that Goldberg and Winton deliberately published false information after willfully and deliberately avoiding the research needed to write a fair report,” — Spencer Pratt's team
- “Fire victims, like Spencer Pratt, are able to maintain their vacant burned lot as their primary residence, and are indeed eligible to both vote and run for city office while rebuilding, even if they’ve been temporarily displaced outside the city during the recovery,” — LA City Clerk's office
