Fox News personalities Kaleigh McEnany and Harris Faulkner are calling on Republicans to take a page from an unlikely political newcomer: Spencer Pratt. The former reality television star, now running as a Republican candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, drew strong praise following a recent debate that also featured incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, both Democrats.
Pratt’s performance stood out not just for his outsider status, but for his focus on the devastating Palisades Fire, which claimed 12 lives and destroyed nearly 7,000 structures. Speaking from personal experience after losing his own home in the blaze, Pratt positioned himself as an advocate for victims still grappling with the aftermath.
That approach, however, drew criticism from some quarters. Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall, who also lost her home in a separate wildfire, echoed Mayor Bass’s claim that Pratt may be leveraging the tragedy for political gain. But Faulkner pushed back firmly on that idea, arguing that victims have every right to speak out.
“He is a victim, and when you’ve been victimized there’s no way to exploit your own victimization,” Faulkner said. “It’s called putting your hand in the air and saying this happened.”
McEnany took that argument further, emphasizing the broader public response to Pratt’s debate showing. She cited a flash poll indicating that 80% of viewers believed Pratt won the debate—support she suggested came largely from fellow residents affected by the fires.
At the heart of McEnany’s remarks was a sharp critique of California’s fire preparedness and response. She argued that the scale of destruction was not only tragic but also preventable, pointing to long-standing concerns about forest management.
“This was highly predictable, it could have been mitigated,” McEnany said, referencing remarks made by President Donald Trump in 2020 about the need for California to “clean the brush.” She dismissed claims that the state’s response had been adequate, calling such suggestions “preposterous.”
While her comments aligned with broader conservative criticism of California leadership, McEnany also used the moment to issue a warning to Republicans nationwide. In her view, Pratt’s campaign represents a model for how the GOP can compete—even in traditionally Democratic strongholds.
“We cannot surrender blue states. We cannot surrender blue cities,” she said, praising Pratt for “prosecuting the case” and energizing voters who feel overlooked. She urged Republicans in Congress to adopt a similar urgency, criticizing what she portrayed as legislative inaction in the face of Democratic priorities.
Her remarks included pointed frustration over issues such as healthcare policies for undocumented immigrants and stalled Republican-backed measures like the SAVE America Act.
“Wake up, congressional Republicans — become Spencer Pratt,” she said.
Faulkner echoed that sentiment, suggesting the party could benefit from embracing the kind of momentum Pratt appears to have generated.
Still, the debate underscores a deeper tension in American politics: how leaders respond to crises that leave lasting scars on communities. While candidates may differ on solutions, the human cost of disasters like the Palisades Fire remains a sobering backdrop—one that continues to shape the conversation in Los Angeles and beyond.
[READ MORE: Trump Halts Strait Operation Amid Gulf Pushback as Iran Talks Gain Momentum]
