LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt promotes a series of AI ...
CBS LA's Tom Wait sits down with political experts who explain how AI could impact Spencer Pratt's campaign.
www.cbsnews.comHere’s the latest on Spencer Pratt and AI-generated videos.
Short answer
- Recent AI-generated videos featuring Spencer Pratt as a Batman-like hero in Los Angeles political messaging have gone viral in May 2026, drawing widespread attention and debate about AI’s role in elections. These clips circulated across social media and were covered by major outlets, highlighting both the viral potential and ethical concerns around AI in campaigns.[1][3][4]
Background and context
- The AI videos depict Pratt in heroic, stylized scenarios while portraying rivals (e.g., Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom) in exaggerated roles. The creator of the clips has been identified as filmmaker Charles Curran, with Pratt sharing the content personally. This illustrates how creators can weaponize AI for political storytelling outside official campaigns.[3][1]
- Coverage notes that the videos achieved millions of views and sparked discussion among pundits, voters, and ethics experts about authenticity, misinformation, and potential manipulation in political communications.[1][3]
What’s been said
- Officials and commentators have emphasized the need for policies and tools to detect AI-generated political content, as well as inquiries into funding and disclosure around AI ads. Critics warn of dangerous trends when political figures are depicted in sensational or violent imagery.[3][1]
- Local media and national outlets have also highlighted Pratt’s own AI-ad content and the broader implications for how outsiders or celebrities can influence local races through meme-driven campaigns.[4][6]
Related notes
- Several outlets, including NBC News and CBS News Sacramento, have produced segments about these AI videos and their potential impact on voters, signaling that AI-enabled campaigning is becoming a mainstream topic of political discourse.[4][1]
- The conversation includes questions about ethics, consent, and the line between fan-made content and materials that could sway elections, with some experts predicting more AI-driven interventions in political messaging to come.[1][3]
Would you like a quick summary of the main events by date, or a comparison of how different outlets framed the issue? I can also pull up direct quotes or provide a short list of the key players and clips to watch.