Spencer Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral campaign has turned personal after he accused “goblins” of running politics and media during a heated online exchange with journalist Marlow Stern over Pratt’s post–Palisades Fire living situation.
Spencer Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral push has picked up heat—and not just from campaign trail rhetoric.. In a tense back-and-forth with journalist Marlow Stern. Pratt escalated the argument online by accusing unnamed figures of being “goblins… running everything. ” adding gasoline to a dispute that began with Stern questioning Pratt’s reported address after Pratt’s home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire.
The clash unfolded on X.. After Pratt responded to Stern’s comment about Pratt’s living situation. Stern wrote. “he… lives in santa barbara.” Stern later said he was aware of the Palisades Fire but believed Pratt should “stop acting like he still lives [in Los Angeles].” Stern also stated that Pratt had been living in Santa Barbara “for the past year.”
Pratt, who said he moved to Santa Barbara after losing his Los Angeles home, pushed back sharply.. He wrote that he “lost everything” in the fire and accused Stern of attacking him for moving his family into his parents’ home.. Pratt also emphasized his age and family situation. adding. “As a 42 year old man with 2 kids. I’ve had to move into my parents’ house.” He rejected the idea that he was misrepresenting where he lives. and questioned the timing and tone of the criticism.. “My house burned down.. I lost everything.. I can’t rebuild.. As a 42 year old man with 2 kids. I’ve had to move into my parents’ house. and I’m getting attacked for that?. This is journalism?. This is why no decent people ever get into politics.. This is why you only have goblins…,” Pratt wrote on May 18, 2026.
In the same exchange, Pratt criticized Stern’s professionalism, writing, “This is journalism?. Who raised you. dude?” Stern. for his part. kept pressing that Pratt should not be portrayed as still living in Los Angeles. describing the back-and-forth as unusual and noting that Pratt had left nearly a year earlier.
The tension widened further when Stern said Pratt blocked him on the platform.. Stern described Pratt’s response as a “tantrum” and said he received replies from accounts with “a lot of numbers in them and no profile pics.” Earlier. Stern had posted. “merely pointing out the truth gets you blocked by spencer pratt. ” along with an attached video thumbnail.
Beyond the personal sparring, Pratt has tied his mayoral bid directly to the Palisades Fire. He has repeatedly cited the blaze as the reason he entered the Los Angeles mayoral race, saying his home was among the properties destroyed and arguing that the city’s response was inadequate.
During a debate with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, Pratt claimed decisions made under Bass’ leadership worsened the fire’s severity. He said fire-engine availability had been reduced due to budget cuts and that a reservoir that could have supplied water to firefighters had been drained.
The calendar adds pressure as well: the Los Angeles mayoral election is scheduled for June 2.. If no candidate wins a majority. the top two finishers will advance to a November 3 runoff. according to the city’s election calendar.. Pratt has publicly said he believes he can win outright with 51 percent of the vote. and Los Angeles has not elected a Republican mayor since 2001. according to city election records.
The storyline is tightening around the same sequence of facts: Stern points to where Pratt lives. Pratt ties his move to the Palisades Fire damage. and then the debate shifts from residency claims to what both sides portray as professionalism—while Pratt simultaneously continues to argue that leadership decisions during the 2025 blaze were part of what pushed him into the race.
For now, the exchange shows how quickly campaign issues can collide with personal details, even as the race itself moves toward June 2 and the possibility of a runoff on November 3.
Spencer Pratt Marlow Stern Los Angeles mayoral race Palisades Fire X goblins Karen Bass Santa Barbara June 2 election
Goblins?? bro that’s wild 😂
So he’s saying he moved after the fire, but the journalist was like no you’re supposed to be in LA? I’m confused why it even matters that much if his house burned down.
I mean journalism is weird like that. If Stern already knew about the Palisades Fire, then why bring up the address at all? Pratt calling people goblins sounds childish but also… maybe he’s just mad.
This feels like one of those media vs politician fights where both sides are acting crazy. Like Pratt lost his home in LA so he’s in Santa Barbara for a year ok, but Stern saying he should stop acting like he still lives in LA… isn’t that basically the whole point? Also “goblins running everything” sounds like he’s trying to distract from the fact he’s 42 with 2 kids moving into parents’ house like that’s suspicious lol