Spencer Pratt Wants to Be Mayor. His Fans Want Him to Be Batman.
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star and registered Republican running for Los Angeles mayor, recently reposted a viral A.I.-generated video depicting himself as a Batman-like hero rescuing Los Angeles from Democratic leadership portrayed as villains.
- The video, created by filmmaker Charlie Curran, uses generative A.I. to depict Pratt in black armor and cape, with Mayor Karen Bass cast as the Joker and a Joe Rogan lookalike as Commissioner Gordon, symbolizing Pratt’s campaign themes of fixing a city in decline.
- Unlike traditional political ads, this video required no actors, sets, or permits, showcasing how generative A.I. technology enables unconventional and low-cost political messaging without the usual regulatory disclosures.
- Pratt’s campaign draws on his personal connection to the area, including his Pacific Palisades upbringing and his home’s destruction in recent wildfires, criticizing Bass and city officials for their handling of homelessness and wildfire responses.