Spencer Pratt transforms into Batman in ‘amazing’ new video
New York Post
Overall Assessment
The article centers on a viral, AI-generated political ad without critically examining its claims or providing substantive context about the candidates. It adopts the ad’s satirical and emotionally charged tone, using loaded descriptions of political figures without sufficient neutrality. While it attributes the video’s source and notes one endorsement, it fails to balance the fantastical content with factual reporting on the election.
"A cake-eating Gov. Gavin Newsom and a booze-swilling Kamala Harris are depicted joining other elites at a lavish Victorian-style ball"
Loaded Language
Headline & Lead 40/100
The headline and lead emphasize the dramatic, AI-generated nature of a campaign video while using emotionally charged language like 'amazing' and superhero imagery, framing the story around spectacle rather than policy or electoral context.
✕ Sensationalism: The headline uses the word 'amazing' in quotes to describe the video, implying uncritical praise and injecting a positive emotional valence without context or attribution.
"Spencer Pratt transforms into Batman in ‘amazing’ new video"
✕ Framing By Emphasis: The lead emphasizes the viral, Hollywood-style nature of the ad rather than the substance of Pratt’s campaign or policy positions, prioritizing spectacle over political relevance.
"A Hollywood blockbuster-inspired video that transforms Spencer Pratt into a Batman-like superhero is being praised as the Los Angeles mayoral candidate gains momentum just weeks before the election."
Language & Tone 30/100
The article adopts the emotionally charged, satirical tone of the campaign video, using loaded descriptions of political figures and dramatic scenes without sufficient critical distance or neutral framing.
✕ Loaded Language: The article uses highly charged and satirical depictions from the video as descriptive facts (e.g., 'cake-eating Gov. Gavin News在玩家中, 'booze-swilling Kamala Harris'), reinforcing negative caricatures without distancing the reporting from the propaganda.
"A cake-eating Gov. Gavin Newsom and a booze-swilling Kamala Harris are depicted joining other elites at a lavish Victorian-style ball"
✕ Appeal To Emotion: The article includes emotionally manipulative scenes from the video—such as a man being thrown to the ground while begging for help—without critical commentary, allowing the emotional narrative to stand unchallenged.
"“Please, I’m begging you. There are homeless drug addicts in front of the schools. My children aren’t safe,” one character says in the clip after being forcefully thrown to the ground by agents dressed in bulletproof vests labeled for the Democratic Socialists of America — a group with whom Raman is affiliated."
✕ Editorializing: Describing the video as 'being praised' without specifying who exactly is doing the praising (until later) frames it as broadly acclaimed, subtly endorsing its message.
"is being praised as the Los Angeles mayoral candidate gains momentum just weeks before the election."
Balance 50/100
The article includes some proper sourcing, such as attributing the video to its creator and quoting Jeb Bush, but overstates the breadth of support with vague claims of cross-spectrum praise.
✓ Proper Attribution: The article attributes the video to Charles Curran and identifies him as a filmmaker associated with Menace, providing some transparency about the ad’s origin.
"The video was posted by Charles Curran, who describes himself as a filmmaker involved with Menace, a “private production entity pioneering synthetic images for select creative partners.”"
✓ Balanced Reporting: The article notes that praise came 'from across the political spectrum' and cites Jeb Bush’s endorsement, offering one example of cross-aisle appeal.
"Praise for the ad has come from across the political spectrum. Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida and brother of former President George W. Bush, described it as “the best political ad of the year” in a post on X."
✕ Vague Attribution: The claim that praise came 'from across the political spectrum' is vague and unsupported by additional examples beyond Jeb Bush, implying broader approval than demonstrated.
"Praise for the ad has come from across the political spectrum."
Completeness 40/100
The article lacks essential political and biographical context, such as Pratt’s platform or Raman’s actual record, instead relying on fictionalized imagery and emotional appeals without factual grounding.
✕ Omission: The article fails to provide context on Nithya Raman’s actual positions or her relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America, reducing her to a puppet caricature without factual clarification.
✕ Omission: There is no mention of Spencer Pratt’s political experience, platform, or qualifications for mayor, focusing instead on a fictionalized video narrative.
✕ Misleading Context: The reference to the 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfires is used to evoke sympathy for Pratt without discussing broader recovery efforts or policy implications.
"“I just want to rebuild my home. It’s been over a year,” the man says, referencing the January 2025 wildfires that devastated the Pacific Palisades, destroying Pratt’s home."
Spencer Pratt is framed as a heroic, proactive force against corrupt elites
The article adopts the video’s narrative that Pratt is a superhero-like figure storming in to save Los Angeles, using uncritical language that aligns him with justice and action.
"Pratt himself then swoops into action, outfitting himself in Batman-like gear before storming into the banquet as another character pleads for help."
Raman is framed as an illegitimate puppet controlled by radical groups
Omission of her actual record and the use of dehumanizing imagery (a wooden puppet) without factual context undermines her credibility and legitimacy.
"socialist mayoral challenger Nithya Raman is portrayed as a wooden puppet on strings."
The Democratic Party is framed as a hostile, out-of-touch elite
Loaded language and satirical depictions portray Democratic leaders as indulgent and indifferent to public suffering, reinforcing a hostile, adversarial framing.
"A cake-eating Gov. Gavin Newsom and a booze-swilling Kamala Harris are depicted joining other elites at a lavish Victorian-style ball, while socialist mayoral challenger Nithya Raman is portrayed as a wooden puppet on strings."
DSA is framed as a violent, authoritarian force suppressing citizens
The article includes a scene where DSA-labeled agents violently throw down a pleading citizen, reinforcing a hostile, threatening portrayal without critical distance.
"by agents dressed in bulletproof vests labeled for the Democratic Socialists of America — a group with whom Raman is affiliated."
Working-class Angelenos are framed as excluded and ignored by the political elite
Appeal to emotion through dramatized scenes of citizens being ignored and physically subdued by elite agents frames the working class as marginalized and voiceless.
"“Please, I’m begging you. There are homeless drug addicts in front of the schools. My children aren’t safe,” one character says in the clip after being forcefully thrown to the ground by agents..."
The article centers on a viral, AI-generated political ad without critically examining its claims or providing substantive context about the candidates. It adopts the ad’s satirical and emotionally charged tone, using loaded descriptions of political figures without sufficient neutrality. While it attributes the video’s source and notes one endorsement, it fails to balance the fantastical content with factual reporting on the election.
Spencer Pratt, a candidate in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race, has shared an AI-generated campaign video created by filmmaker Charles Curran. The video, which portrays Pratt as a superhero and includes satirical depictions of political figures, has drawn attention online. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, with a potential runoff in November.
New York Post — Culture - Other
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