Story perspectives

AI Spoof Names Pratt Batman, Bass Joker; He Trails

5/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The AI-generated video showing Spencer Pratt as Batman and Mayor Karen Bass as the Joker went viral and drew praise from conservatives.
Pratt, a former reality-TV star, is running as an independent in the Los Angeles mayoral race and trails Bass after his home burned in the 2025 Palisades wildfire.
In a debate he pledged to prioritize wildfire recovery, crime reduction, free Metro service and noted he is a registered Republican.

History

Historical Context

In 2019, BuzzFeed released a deep-fake video of former President Barack Obama warning about fake news, sparking nationwide debate. The production cost roughly $5,000 and featured visual effects firm Deeptrace, while the Federal Election Commission issued guidance on synthetic media. Today, Spencer Pratt’s AI-generated Batman video of himself and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoes the 2019 deep-fake controversy, influencing voter perception in the 2025 mayoral race. The episode suggests that unchecked synthetic media may reshape campaign strategies, prompting future regulatory reviews and voter-education initiatives nationwide.

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Story summary

The AI-generated video showing Spencer Pratt as Batman and Mayor Karen Bass as the Joker went viral and drew praise from conservatives.
Pratt, a former reality-TV star, is running as an independent in the Los Angeles mayoral race and trails Bass after his home burned in the 2025 Palisades wildfire.
In a debate he pledged to prioritize wildfire recovery, crime reduction, free Metro service and noted he is a registered Republican.

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