Spencer Pratt, the former Hills star who has positioned himself as a vocal observer of California politics, has traded online barbs with Governor Gavin Newsom over how the state handled the wildfires that scorched the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena. The feud centers on a proposed bill that would have permitted multi-unit and low-income housing on burn-scarred lots in Pacific Palisades. Pratt, whose home and his parents’ house were damaged or destroyed in the Palisades Fire, criticized the measure, arguing it would change how disaster-affected neighborhoods are rebuilt.
Newsom’s team pushed back on X, insisting the governor did not propose the bill. A post attributed to the Governor’s Press Office contended that the legislation was introduced by a legislator with backing from a county supervisor, and it dismissed Pratt’s claim that Newsom intends to bulldoze fire victims’ neighborhoods in favor of affordable housing as false and abusive. The post also labeled Pratt a “C-list reality TV star” for spreading what it called misinformation, helping kindle a broader online dispute between Pratt and the governor and other California leaders.
The timing is notable. Newsom’s office announced a $101 million allocation of taxpayer funds intended to speed up multifamily, low-income housing development to assist those displaced by the fires, coinciding with Senator Ben Allen’s introduction—and subsequent pause—of the controversial bill. Pratt has continued to press his criticisms across TikTok, Instagram and X, arguing that recovery and aid processes have been mismanaged. His posts highlight the difficulties victims face as the state weighs housing policy alongside wildfire relief, a topic now also under federal scrutiny as FireAid’s handling of grant money comes under review.
FireAid had announced that it has engaged Latham & Watkins to conduct a comprehensive governance and grantmaking review, aiming to determine whether recipient organizations used funds in line with the charity’s stated purposes. Pratt’s social media activity remains firmly aimed at California politicians, though he has signaled no firm political affiliation beyond labeling himself nonpartisan. He even traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with figures in the Trump administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi. Some supporters have floated the idea of Pratt running for governor, with at least one fan sending him a campaign shirt reading “Spencer for Governor.”
The broader context of Pratt’s rhetoric is the devastation from the fires: more than 30 miles of homes and businesses burned in the Palisades, Malibu saw more than 700 homes destroyed (240 along the coastline), and Altadena suffered sweeping losses including an entire historic community. The fires claimed 31 lives, many of them seniors or disabled individuals who were trapped in or near their homes.
Newsom’s public rhetoric on X and through the governor’s press office has grown increasingly pointed, including all-caps posts about redistricting and occasional jabs at political figures from outside California. The clash between Pratt’s high-profile media presence and Newsom’s administration highlights how celebrity voices are intersecting with high-stakes policy debates in the wake of a major natural disaster.
Summary: The article outlines a heated online dispute between Spencer Pratt and Governor Gavin Newsom over wildfire response and housing policy in California, set against the backdrop of ongoing disaster recovery, aid scrutiny, and talk of a potential Pratt political bid. It also notes a federal review of FireAid and Pratt’s continued media activity across platforms.
Value-add/comments:
– The situation underscores the tension between rebuilding affordability and ensuring safe, resilient redevelopment in fire-prone areas.
– Readers should watch for updates on the paused housing bill, any new statements from Newsom’s office, and the outcomes of the FireAid governance review, as these will influence both policy and funding decisions.
– The piece blends celebrity influence with public policy, illustrating how social media can shape public perception during crisis recovery.
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