How AI has helped a former reality TV star become a contender for L.A. mayor - CBC
AI-generated videos featuring Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass as villains have boosted former reality TV star Spencer Pratt's L.A. mayoral campaign in 2026.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass
In 2026, AI-generated videos emerged as a novel campaign tool in the Los Angeles mayoral race, significantly impacting the candidacy of Spencer Pratt. These videos, depicting California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in villainous roles, have garnered millions of views and altered the dynamics of the election.
What happened
One video portrays Newsom as an 18th-century French aristocrat and Bass as the Joker, with Pratt, dressed as Batman, coming to the city's rescue. Another video features a Star Wars theme, casting Pratt as a Jedi Knight battling Darth Vader Bass and Emperor Newsom. While filmmaker Charles Curran created the videos, Pratt has reposted them, leveraging their popularity. Experts suggest that these AI-driven ads, though controversial, have resonated with voters by simplifying complex issues into easily digestible narratives of heroes and villains. Some polls now show Pratt running second to the incumbent mayor.