Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel spent part of this week’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! doing something many viewers probably didn’t expect: agreeing with Spencer Pratt.
The television personality, who has become an unlikely contender in the Los Angeles mayoral race, found himself at the center of Kimmel’s monologue Wednesday night. Yet while Kimmel ultimately urged viewers not to support Pratt, he also acknowledged that many of the concerns Pratt has been raising resonate with frustrated residents throughout the city.
The result was a segment that seemed to expose a growing problem for Los Angeles’ political establishment. Even critics of Pratt are finding it increasingly difficult to dismiss the issues he is highlighting.
Jimmy Kimmel Admits Spencer Pratt Is Speaking to Real Frustrations
Kimmel began by addressing the state of Los Angeles and the frustration many residents feel with city leadership.
“Let’s be honest, this city is a mess,” Kimmel said.
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He pointed specifically to the aftermath of the Pacific Palisades fires and broader concerns about city management, arguing that residents are tired of being told things are improving when many feel they are not seeing meaningful results.
Kimmel continued: “That became obvious during the fires. But the people running this city, when you say, ‘This city is a mess,’ they go, ‘No, actually, it isn’t and we’re doing a lot.’ And we look around and go, ‘I’m not seeing it.'”
That sentiment mirrors much of the message Pratt has been using throughout his campaign. Since entering the race, the former reality television star has repeatedly criticized city leadership over public safety concerns, fire preparedness, homelessness, and quality-of-life issues affecting residents.
Jimmy Kimmel in his UK Christmas Address – UK Channel 4
In a surprising moment, Kimmel openly admitted that many of Pratt’s complaints are resonating because they reflect frustrations shared by ordinary Angelenos.
“It’s hard not to agree with what he has to say,” Kimmel acknowledged.
That admission may end up being the most significant takeaway from the entire segment.
Kimmel Says Pratt Has the Complaints but Not the Answers
While Kimmel agreed with many of Pratt’s criticisms, he argued that identifying problems is easier than solving them.
“He’s angry about the same problems a lot of people here are angry about,” Kimmel said. “Does he have solutions to those problems? No.”
Pratt would likely dispute that characterization.
If that addict on your street were your own son, what would you do? That is the defining question that guides my 5 step plan to fix the homelessness problem in LA. We *must* end this evil racket of corrupt politicians and NGOs who profit off the misery of these poor souls. They… pic.twitter.com/9VGwwe6srh
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) May 21, 2026
The candidate has publicly discussed expanding fire response resources and has released proposals regarding homelessness and city management. Whether voters agree with those plans is another matter entirely, but Pratt has attempted to outline specific policy positions as his campaign has gained traction.
Kimmel instead portrayed Pratt’s rise as a product of public frustration with the status quo rather than confidence in his ability to govern.
According to Kimmel, voters angry with current leadership are increasingly willing to look outside traditional political circles for alternatives.
That reality may explain why Pratt has become far more competitive than many observers initially expected.
Kimmel Compares Pratt’s Rise to President Trump
The sharpest criticism came when Kimmel compared Pratt’s growing popularity to President Trump’s political rise.
“This is exactly what Donald Trump did,” Kimmel said.
He went on to argue that both men benefited from celebrity status and a talent for attracting attention.
“Mayor should not be your first job,” he joked.
Jimmy Kimmel on Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
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Kimmel also questioned whether Pratt’s interest in politics is genuine or simply another avenue back into the spotlight.
“He wants to be a star again,” Kimmel said. “And guess what? It’s working.”
That argument has become increasingly common among Pratt’s critics. Supporters, meanwhile, contend that outsider candidates gain traction precisely because many voters have lost faith in career politicians and established institutions.
The irony is that Kimmel’s own comments may reinforce Pratt’s appeal rather than weaken it.
By admitting that Los Angeles has serious problems and that Pratt is correctly identifying many of them, Kimmel effectively validated a significant portion of Pratt’s campaign message before pivoting to tell viewers not to support him.
Spencer Pratt Fires Back With One-Line Response
Pratt wasted little time responding.
After clips from Kimmel’s monologue began circulating online, Pratt offered a brief reaction on social media.
“Jimmy’s secretly voting for me,” he said.
The response quickly spread among supporters, many of whom viewed Kimmel’s comments as an accidental endorsement.
Jimmy Kimmel shakes hands with Joe Biden – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
After all, the late-night host spent several minutes describing widespread frustration with city leadership, agreeing that residents have legitimate grievances, and acknowledging that Pratt is speaking to concerns many people share.
Only afterward did he argue that voters should choose someone else.
For Pratt supporters, that sequence may have undermined Kimmel’s larger point.
New Poll Shows Pratt Closing the Gap
The timing of Kimmel’s remarks is particularly notable because Pratt appears to be gaining ground.
According to a new UC Berkeley-Los Angeles Times poll cited by The Hollywood Reporter, Karen Bass sits at 26%, Nithya Raman at 25%, and Pratt at 22% among likely voters. Ten percent remain undecided.
Perhaps most striking is the trend line.
Both Raman and Pratt reportedly gained eight percentage points since March, turning what many once viewed as a long-shot candidacy into a competitive race.
Jimmy Kimmel in a promo ad for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Whether Pratt ultimately succeeds remains to be seen. But Kimmel’s monologue highlighted an uncomfortable reality for Los Angeles’ political class.
Even some of Pratt’s harshest critics now concede that many residents share his frustrations.
And when a nationally known late-night host spends several minutes explaining why people agree with a candidate before urging them not to support him, it may say more about the state of the city than it does about the candidate himself.
How do you feel about Jimmy Kimmel agreeing with Spencer Pratt? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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