Spencer Pratt, the reality television personality who ran for mayor of Los Angeles, has defended his controversial decision to stay at the luxury Hotel Bel-Air, stating it was a more cost-effective option than hiring extensive security due to escalating death threats.
Pratt, who lost in the June primary election, explained in an X post that the perception of him being a "bougie spoiled brat" was inaccurate. He stated that the Hotel Bel-Air, which reportedly costs $1,200 per night, was in fact the cheapest viable option because his property in the Pacific Palisades was deemed a security risk. "My campaign staff told me I wasn’t allowed to divulge the real reason I had to stay there, but now that the election is coming to a close, I don’t need to listen to anyone anymore," Pratt wrote.
He elaborated that he received numerous death threats throughout the campaign, necessitating full-time security. Pratt claimed that the nature of these threats and the need for protection meant his campaign funds, which he noted Republicans face a "permanent fundraising disadvantage" in covering, were heavily allocated to security. He argued that hiring around-the-clock security at his unsecured property would have been significantly more expensive than the hotel. "Had I stayed anywhere else, I would have needed to book out 3 rooms for my team to maintain overnight security, which would’ve cost an additional $3,000 per night," he calculated.
Pratt cited specific incidents, including notes with white powder left at his property and a "lunatic" charging at his son, as reasons for fearing for his family's safety. He described the Hotel Bel-Air as a "fortress" with a single point of entry and a secure design, making it a safer base than his exposed property.
He further contended that the need for armed security placed Republican candidates at a disadvantage compared to their Democratic rivals, who could allocate more resources to campaigning rather than security measures. Pratt noted that while his campaign has concluded, the threats and security concerns persist, making it difficult to afford adequate protection now.
Previously, reports indicated Pratt had been staying at the Hotel Bel-Air for over a month, though he disputed this, stating he had spent no more than six days there in the preceding month. The controversy arose after a campaign ad suggested he was living in an Airstream trailer on his property, which was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire.