President Donald Trump urged former reality television star Spencer Pratt to challenge the results of the Los Angeles mayoral primary. Speaking on Friday, Trump claimed the election process in California was rigged. He pointed to delays in ballot counting as evidence of potential fraud.
Trump addressed the Faith & Freedom Coalition and referenced Pratt, who finished behind Democratic Socialist City Councilwoman Nithya Raman after mail-in ballots were tallied. "The kid won. Or he was certainly in the top two," Trump said. He added that Pratt should not accept the outcome quietly and should protest because, in his view, it was a rigged election.
Pratt had led when polls closed on Election Day but lost ground over several days as additional ballots were counted. Trump described the shift with a chuckle, noting reports that Pratt was "not doing so well" despite his earlier lead.
Pratt, a registered Republican, has vowed to continue highlighting problems in city leadership, including incumbent Mayor Karen Bass's response to the Palisades Fire. He said his focus remains on practical results rather than partisan goals. Trump offered no formal endorsement during the remarks.