Spencer Pratt clashes with ABC7 reporter over finances, calls LA ‘failed math’

WASHINGTON, DC: Reality TV personality-turned-Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, on Monday, May 25, clashed sharply with an ABC7 reporter during a tense exchange over his financial record, pushing back aggressively when questioned about whether voters could trust him to manage the city’s multibillion-dollar budget.

The fiery back-and-forth quickly turned into an attack on current city leadership, with Pratt accusing Los Angeles officials of wasting taxpayer money while defending his own handling of personal finances.

The confrontation comes as Pratt attempts to position himself as an anti-establishment candidate in the race to replace incumbent mayor Karen Bass.

Spencer Pratt confronts ABC7 reporter

The confrontation began after an ABC7 reporter referenced Pratt’s past financial struggles and questioned whether that history could raise concerns among voters.

“You’ve been open about some of your struggles financially in the past,” the reporter said. Pratt immediately pushed back on the accusation.

“I’ve never had struggles. I had choices,” he responded. When the reporter followed up by mentioning “managing money,” Pratt drew a sharp distinction between private finances and public spending.

“Let’s be clear, my money, not taxpayer money,” he shot back. The reporter then pressed him on whether Los Angeles residents could trust him to oversee the city’s massive budget if elected mayor.

“But a $15 billion budget that you will have to manage as elected mayor,” the reporter said. “I just want to know, for the citizens of Los Angeles, how can they trust you with that $15 billion?”

Pratt responded by immediately targeting the current administration’s spending priorities.

“Right now, we have Mayor Bass. She just spent $400 million to house 1,400 people,” he said.

“I could hire 10 better accountants that I probably have on my phone that can make sure we take $400 million and we don’t waste it on 1,400 people.”

“We live under their failed experience of managing the budget,” Pratt said. “Mayor Bass has been failing for four years.”

Pratt opens up on Trump's 'big MAGA person' remark

In another exchange, Pratt rejected attempts to label him politically aligned with President Donald Trump or the MAGA movement.

“Are you a big MAGA person?” a reporter asked him. “I’m a big nobody person. I’m a big Spencer Pratt Angelino person,” Pratt replied.

“I’m not part of any political party. I’m running a nonpartisan race. I’m supposed to represent all of Los Angeles.”

“My message is common sense,” he added.

Pratt has increasingly leaned into a populist-style message since launching his long-shot mayoral campaign earlier this year following the devastating 2025 California wildfires that destroyed his home.

The former star of MTV’s The Hills has attempted to brand himself as an outsider candidate focused on basic city services rather than ideological politics.

Trump recently commented publicly on Pratt’s mayoral bid while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

“I’d like to see him do well, he’s a character,” Trump said when asked about Pratt. Trump added, “I heard he does. I heard he’s a big MAGA person. He’s doing well.”