Spencer Pratt Falls to Third in LA Mayoral Race as Vote Count Continues; Trump Criticizes California Election Process
In the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral primary, Spencer Pratt dropped from a leading position to third place as updated vote counts showed Nithya Raman overtaking him by a narrow margin. Incumbent Karen Bass leads the race, with Raman advancing to the general election alongside her. The results remain unofficial as California continues counting mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day. Donald Trump criticized the process on Truth Social, calling the election 'rigged' and 'crooked,' echoing claims of irregularity. California election officials note that results may take weeks due to required verification procedures. Pratt referenced a 43,000-vote swing in a social media post, drawing a symbolic link to homelessness data, while Raman’s campaign expressed encouragement at the outcome so far.
Both sources cover the same core event—Spencer Pratt’s drop in the LA mayoral race and Trump’s reaction—but differ significantly in depth, framing, and tone. New York Post offers a more complete and contextually grounded account, while Daily Mail amplifies political outrage with minimal procedural explanation.
- ✓ Donald Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing California’s election process as 'crooked' and 'rigged'.
- ✓ Spencer Pratt fell from a leading position to third place in the Los Angeles mayoral primary.
- ✓ Nithya Raman overtook Pratt, creating a two-candidate race between Raman and incumbent Karen Bass for the general election.
- ✓ Steve Hilton is referenced as another Republican candidate in a separate California primary race.
- ✓ California allows vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on Election Day to be counted up to seven days later.
- ✓ Results are still being updated several days after Election Day due to the volume of mail-in ballots.
Explanation of delayed results
Mentions the delay only briefly at the end, without contextualizing it as standard procedure.
Provides detailed explanation of mail-in ballot processing, signature verification, and audit requirements.
Use of Trump’s rhetoric
Repeats Trump’s quotes prominently and without critical framing, embedding them in headline and lead.
Quotes Trump but places his claims within a broader context of ongoing vote counting and political reaction.
Framing of vote swing
Does not mention the 43,000-vote swing or its symbolic use by Pratt.
Highlights the swing and Pratt’s sarcastic reference to homelessness data, suggesting possible insinuation of fraud.
Tone and neutrality
Strongly amplifies Trump’s narrative with minimal pushback or context.
Maintains a more neutral posture while still covering the drama, offering more explanatory context.
Daily Mail
Framing: Frames the event primarily through the lens of Donald Trump’s reaction to the election results, emphasizing allegations of election fraud and using inflammatory language to question the legitimacy of California’s electoral process. The narrative centers on Trump’s claims of a 'rigged' election, with Spencer Pratt’s decline portrayed as evidence of systemic corruption.
Tone: Sensational and alarmist, with a clear alignment to Trump’s rhetoric. The tone amplifies outrage and distrust in democratic institutions, using hyperbolic descriptors like 'Third World vote count' and 'CROOKED Election'.
Sensationalism: Headline uses 'Third World' to describe California’s vote count, a derogatory and exaggerated label not grounded in factual comparison.
"'Not possible for Spencer Pratt to have lost the L.A. runoffs after the big lead he had. 3rd World Nation. Rigged Elections!'"
Loaded Language: Use of terms like 'CROOKED', 'Dumocrats', and 'cheated' to delegitimize opponents and the electoral process.
"'Has anybody been watching the CROOKED Election going on in California'"
Omission: Fails to explain the normalcy of California’s vote-by-mail system and delayed results, omitting context about why vote counts take time.
"No mention of standard election procedures beyond a single sentence at the end."
Appeal to Emotion: Invokes fear and anger by suggesting 'great trouble and consternation will follow' if Democrats succeed.
"'great trouble and consternation will follow'"
Narrative Framing: Presents the story as a conspiracy against Republicans, with Trump as the truth-teller exposing corruption.
"'Two great Republican Candidates are being cheated, and so is America'"
New York Post
Framing: Presents the event with a focus on the unfolding vote count and political reactions, including Trump’s claims, but also includes more context about the electoral process and candidate responses. While it quotes Trump’s inflammatory language, it balances it with data and factual explanations.
Tone: More measured and analytical, though still dramatic. It reports Trump’s claims without fully endorsing them, and includes neutral context about vote counting procedures.
Framing by Emphasis: Highlights the 43,000-vote swing and its symbolic connection to homelessness, using Pratt’s sarcastic comment to imply irregularity without asserting it.
"“A net swing of more than 43,000 votes since Tuesday… 43,000, huh? Where have I seen that number before?”"
Proper Attribution: Clearly attributes claims to Trump and Pratt, distinguishing between their statements and factual reporting.
"“Trump previously claimed the Democrats are ‘trying to steal the elections’”"
Comprehensive Sourcing: References Polymarket data, KNBC reporting, and LAHSA statistics to provide context and background.
"“Prediction market Polymarket suggests Raman’s chances of making the run-off are 99%”"
Balanced Reporting: Includes official explanation for delayed results: signature verification, mail-in ballots, and audits.
"California’s vote count often stretches beyond Election Day because officials must verify signatures..."
Cherry-Picking: Selectively highlights the 43,000-vote swing and Pratt’s homelessness reference, potentially implying fraud without evidence.
"“Probably nothing.”"
New York Post
Provides more complete coverage by including data (vote swing, Polymarket odds), candidate reactions, media sourcing (KNBC), and procedural context about California elections. Also offers a broader timeline of events.
Daily Mail
Focuses heavily on Trump’s statements with less attention to vote mechanics, candidate responses, or broader context. Relies on sensational language over explanatory reporting.
Trump slams 'rigged' California election as Spencer Pratt falls behind liberal candidate in 'Third World' vote count
Trump blasts ‘crooked’ California elections as Spencer Pratt falls into 3rd place in LA primary