Spencer Pratt Defends Bel-Air Hotel Stay After Campaign Trailer Backlash

Spencer Pratt is pushing back against criticism of his living arrangements during his unsuccessful bid for Los Angeles mayor, saying his stay at the Hotel Bel-Air was driven by security concerns rather than a desire for luxury. The former The Hills personality had challenged Mayor Karen Bass, faulting her response to the Palisades fire, which destroyed his property and left him without a home. The contrast became a campaign talking point: Pratt featured a trailer parked on his fire-damaged property in an advertisement, while reports said he was staying at the hotel. On X, he said threats against him meant his security team needed a protected location. He described the hotel as a secure facility where guards felt comfortable leaving him, and argued that it was the most cost-effective option for the protection he required. The article says the stay cost $1,200 a night. Pratt rejected the suggestion that he was a spoiled candidate misusing campaign resources. He argued that the uproar over his accommodation was used to undercut his campaign and distract from the policies he wanted voters to consider. He portrayed the backlash as a response to the attention generated by his political advertising, rather than a fair discussion of his proposals. His campaign story is now being accompanied by a separate legal dispute involving his wife. According to the article, their former assistant, Cole Gill, has sued the couple over an alleged dog attack at their property. Gill said he had stopped by on November 17, 2025, to collect a credit card for errands when the couple’s Dutch Shepherd, Ego, bit his thigh. He claims the incident caused physical and emotional harm and is seeking lost wages, medical costs and other damages. These are allegations in a lawsuit, not findings established in court. After losing the mayoral primary, Pratt also drew attention by sharing a viral photo of himself in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, the article reports. The account presents the image as another sign that Pratt remains interested in politics, even after his first campaign ended in defeat.