Bass Ackwards: Crime, fires, and dysfunction fuel backlash as Spencer Pratt targets Los Angeles mayoral leadership
Political commentator and talk show host on WGSO radio in New Orleans and on Real America’s Voice (RAV), Jeff Crouere is available to discuss one of the most unexpected political developments in America: the rise of reality television personality Spencer Pratt as a serious contender in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race. Aiding Pratt’s rise is an uncensored wit that doesn’t prevent him from succumbing to political correctness. For example, his referring to incumbent Mayor Bass as Karen Bassura (Spanish for “Trash”) has resonated with voters.
In his recent commentary for Townhall, Crouere argues that Pratt’s momentum is not a joke campaign or celebrity sideshow for mayor, but rather a reflection of deep voter frustration with failed establishment leadership in one of America’s most troubled cities.
- Spencer Pratt gaining traction in crowded Los Angeles mayoral race calls Bass, “Karen Bassura” (Spanish for Trash)
- Palisades fire fallout intensified criticism of city leadership and Mayor Bass
- Voters frustrated with Mayor over homelessness, crime, and government dysfunction
- Pratt positioning himself as anti-establishment political outsider for Mayor
- Celebrity candidacies increasingly resonating with disillusioned voters
According to Crouere, Los Angeles has become overwhelmed by homelessness, crime, urban decay, and the lingering devastation from the 2025 Palisades fires, which destroyed thousands of structures and exposed glaring failures in city leadership. Pratt himself lost his home in the fires and has turned that experience into a populist-style campaign centered on government incompetence, slow recovery efforts, and political detachment from everyday residents. Unlike incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and progressive challenger Nithya Raman, Pratt presents himself as an outsider unconnected to the political establishment.
Crouere argues that Pratt’s appeal mirrors the same anti-establishment energy that propelled Donald Trump into national politics in 2015. In debates and campaign appearances, Pratt has aggressively attacked Bass over her handling of the Palisades fire, including her controversial overseas trip to Ghana while the fires erupted back home. He has also criticized progressive homelessness policies, arguing that city leaders are disconnected from the reality residents face daily.
What makes this race especially fascinating is that Pratt’s candidacy appears to be gaining legitimate traction. Recent polling shows Bass still leading, but Pratt has surged into second place in several surveys, while a substantial portion of the electorate remains undecided. His viral AI-generated campaign videos, outsider image, and blunt communication style have resonated with voters angry about public safety, homelessness, affordability, and government dysfunction.
Crouere can discuss why celebrity candidates increasingly thrive in environments where voters no longer trust traditional politicians, whether Los Angeles voters are experiencing a political breaking point, and why Pratt’s rise may reflect broader national trends rather than isolated local frustration. He can also analyze how the failures surrounding wildfire recovery, homelessness policy, and progressive governance have transformed what initially appeared to be a novelty candidacy into a potentially historic political upset.
This interview would provide timely insight into the growing national revolt against establishment politics and why one of America’s most liberal cities may now be seriously considering a reality television outsider as its next mayor.
Related Articles:
Pratt Is the New Leader Los Angeles Desperately Needs
OPTIONAL Q&A:
- How do we know Spencer Pratt isn’t just another conservative candidate who overcomes odds, gets elected, and becomes largely ineffective (Scott Brown and Arnold Schwarzeneggar)?
- Is Spencer Pratt’s rise a joke campaign or a serious warning sign for Los Angeles leadership?
- Why are voters increasingly turning to celebrity outsiders over career politicians?
- How did the Palisades fires reshape public opinion about Mayor Karen Bass?
- Did government failures after the fires create the opening for Pratt’s campaign?
- Why are homelessness, crime, and affordability driving voter anger in Los Angeles?
- Does Pratt’s candidacy mirror the anti-establishment energy behind Donald Trump’s rise?
- Why do viral social media campaigns now matter more than traditional political machinery?
- Could Los Angeles become the next example of voters rejecting establishment governance and mayor?
ABOUT JEFF CROUERE…
Jeff Crouere is a popular political analyst, columnist and radio and television personality. Since January of 1999, he has been the host of Ringside Politics, an award-winning radio program in New Orleans dedicated to examining the top issues of the day on the local, state, national and international levels. The radio show airs weekdays from 7-9 a.m. & 6-7 p.m. CT on WGSO 990-AM, Wgso.com and the “Mixlr” Radio App.
After previously serving as Program Director, in April of 2024, Crouere was named President and General Manager of WGSO Radio, a news/talk station that has been serving the Greater New Orleans area for 78 years.
The television version of Ringside Politics airs nationally on Saturdays at Noon CT on Real America’s Voice TV Network, which can be seen on Pluto Channel 240, Dish Network Channel 219, the Roku Channel, all the platforms associated with the America’s Voice app, as well as Americas Voice. News and Samsung TV Plus Channel 1029.
On his programs, Crouere offers listeners political debate, commentary, and analysis. He explores critical issues from every point of view with a wide variety of interesting callers. In his 25 years on the radio, he has taken over 100,000 phone calls from listeners in every state in the nation.
Crouere has also interviewed 25,000 guests representing all political viewpoints discussing a wide variety of fascinating topics. These guests have included politicians such as former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Mike Pence, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Vice President Dan Quayle, the late U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, among many others. His guests have also included scientists, doctors, reporters, community activists, authors, celebrities, musicians, economists, and business leaders, as well as plenty of other contributors who have helped make his show so successful.
He is the author of America’s Last Chance and writes regular political analysis columns and editorials for a select number of print and on-line publications, including The Hayride.com, Townhall.com, Canada Free Press, the Bogalusa Daily News, ResisttheMainstream.com and the Crowley Post-Signal.
Every two months, Crouere hosts a local version of “Politically Incorrect” at the Quarter View Restaurant in Metairie called Politics with a Punch which includes a panel of comedians, politicians, media personalities, and news makers.
He has held many leadership positions in the Louisiana Republican Party, including Deputy Chairman and Executive Director. In March of 2009, he founded the Northshore Tea Party, which has sponsored over a dozen popular citizen rallies attracting presidential candidates like Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum as well as over 10,000 attendees.
As a commentator and analyst, Crouere has been interviewed for his perspective by the Washington Post, the New York Times and national cable television networks such as Fox News, Newsmax, CNN, CNN Headline News, CNBC, and MSNBC.
He provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on www.Crouere.net
To schedule an interview with Crouere, email Bookings@SpecialGuests.com or call / text 512-966-0983
