Rick Caruso Says He Will Vote for Mayor Karen Bass Over Nithya Raman in LA Race
Photo: New York PostBillionaire developer Rick Caruso said Monday he will vote to reelect Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over challenger Nithya Raman, eight days before Election Day. Caruso spent more than $100 million of his own money in a failed 2022 campaign against Bass. He announced his decision in a statement posted to Instagram, saying his work with Bass over recent months on rebuilding after the Palisades fire convinced him she had learned from past mistakes and grown into the job. A Caruso spokesperson said the statement was not a formal endorsement but a notice of how he plans to vote. Caruso criticized Raman's pledge to replace LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and last week, at an event with Bass at his Palisades Village shopping center, he voiced concern about the plan without saying whom he would back. He also referred to the Democratic Socialists of America, with which Raman is associated. Separately, actors Samuel L. Jackson and Jane Fonda, among other Hollywood figures, have recorded videos backing Bass.
Right-leaning outlets lead with Caruso's attack on Raman. The New York Post's headline quotes his description of her LAPD plans as "reckless and dangerous," and it adds his remarks on her record on homelessness policy and his warning against "DSA social experimentation." Breitbart covers a different angle, the Hollywood celebrity backing for Bass. Its headline calls Raman a socialist, and it quotes Jackson accusing her of worsening homelessness, Fonda praising Bass's ability to govern, and Anthony Anderson crediting her with the state film tax credit. It does not mention Caruso in the opening. The Los Angeles Times leads with Caruso's praise of Bass's growth and the history of his 2022 loss, and it stresses his spokesperson's point that the statement is not an endorsement. It gives his police and DSA comments from last week as background rather than as the headline. All three agree on the main facts, the Palisades rebuilding work, and Raman's plan on the LAPD chief. They differ mainly in whether Bass's record, Raman's politics or celebrity support is the focus. Alternative and independent outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing.
How the sides differ Right sources stress Caruso's attacks on Raman's LAPD plans and Hollywood stars' endorsements; left sources stress his praise of Bass's growth; alternative sources have not covered it.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
The Los Angeles Times leads with Caruso saying he will vote for Bass after seeing her grow during fire rebuilding, noting his $100 million 2022 loss and his spokesperson's clarification that this is not an endorsement.
Not covering this story. None of the alternative or independent outlets Crosswire tracks has reported it yet. What one side leaves out can be as telling as what the others report.
The New York Post highlights Caruso's sharp criticism of Raman's LAPD and homelessness record, while Breitbart focuses on Hollywood stars like Jackson and Fonda backing Bass and labels Raman a socialist.