Spencer Pratt’s AI Video Campaign Sparks Mayor Karen Bass’s Warning of “Violent Trend”

Former reality-TV personality Spencer Pratt has repeatedly posted AI-generated videos that portray Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as fictional characters such as Darth Vader and the Joker, and even as a target of tomato-throwing residents. Pratt’s use of the videos coincides with his announced run for mayor, a campaign he says was motivated by perceived mismanagement of the city after the 2025 Palisades fires.

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The Palisades fire in 2025 destroyed thousands of homes and buildings and resulted in 12 deaths. Pratt cited the fire’s aftermath as a catalyst for his political ambition, arguing that the city’s response was inadequate and that his candidacy offers an alternative to the current administration.

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• Spencer Pratt – Former cast member of *The Hills* and *The Hills* spin-offs, now a Republican-leaning mayoral candidate. He has publicly identified Jesus Christ as his political role model and has purchased a firearm in response to death threats.

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• Karen Bass – Democratic mayor of Los Angeles, elected in 2022, who has expressed concern over the potential for AI-generated political content to incite violence.

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• Casualties in the Palisades fire: 12 deaths; thousands of homes and structures destroyed.

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• AI video themes: Depictions of Bass as Darth Vader, the Joker, and a target of tomato-throwing crowds; one video shows residents physically striking her with tomatoes.

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• Pratt’s self-reported vetting: He acknowledges that he “vet[s]” some videos before reposting, though he does not disclose the proportion of content reviewed.

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Mayor Bass told CNN’s Elex Michaelson that the AI videos constitute a “dangerous trend,” emphasizing that the content is entirely fictional yet increasingly violent in tone. She warned that hateful or demonizing messages can provoke unstable individuals and jeopardize public safety. Pratt dismissed the warning, labeling Bass’s concern as “the funniest thing I’ve ever heard” and asserting that his social-media activity is a legitimate political tactic. He also pledged to place LAPD officers in every school to address gun-related safety concerns.

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Bass’s criticism centers on the risk that AI-fabricated portrayals may normalize political harassment and potentially incite real-world aggression. Observers note that the lack of clear regulation for AI-generated political media creates a gap in accountability, especially when the content is disseminated through high-reach platforms.

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• “I think it’s a very dangerous trend. One, because it is absolutely 150% fiction. But what’s worrying me now is, is that his social media is now taking on a violent turn. And that worries me because when you do that and when your messages are so hateful, or when you demonize people, then you do provoke people who are unstable and you can jeopardize people’s safety,” — Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

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• “Which is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard coming from the lady who allowed 12 people to burn alive,” — Spencer Pratt, Mayoral Candidate

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• “And she’s worrying about AI.” — Spencer Pratt, Mayoral Candidate

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• “And I know that’s very hot button, but here’s the thing. I’m also going to be the mayor that puts LAPD in front of every school to make schools safe from guns,” — Spencer Pratt, Mayoral Candidate

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The clash highlights how emerging AI technologies intersect with electoral competition, raising questions about the ethical limits of political campaigning. If unchecked, such tactics could reshape voter perceptions and influence the tone of public discourse, potentially prompting legislative or regulatory responses at the municipal or state level.

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Los Angeles municipal elections are scheduled for March 2026. Both candidates are expected to intensify outreach as the filing deadline approaches, and city officials have indicated that they will monitor AI-generated content for compliance with existing harassment and election-law statutes.

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