In a heated exchange that’s reigniting old rivalries, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has fired back at billionaire developer Rick Caruso, calling him 'sad and bitter' over his scathing criticism of her administration’s handling of the Palisades Fire. But here's where it gets controversial: Caruso didn’t hold back, labeling the government’s response as a 'failure on an epic level'—and he’s pointing the finger directly at Bass. So, who’s really to blame for the devastation? And this is the part most people miss: just weeks before his public rebuke, Caruso was in Bass’s office, collaborating on a solution to the city’s contentious 'mansion tax.' What changed? Let’s dive in.
During her appearance at Bloomberg’s Screentime event on Wednesday, Mayor Bass delivered a sharp retort to Caruso’s earlier statement. Caruso had claimed that the January Palisades Fire, which was allegedly sparked by a Florida man and fanned into a massive wildfire by strong winds, was a direct result of 'incompetence, mismanagement, and failure to plan' under Bass’s leadership. 'It sounded like something Trump would say,' Bass remarked, visibly disappointed. 'I was saddened because that kind of response is beneath him. I think he is sad and bitter.'
Bass didn’t stop there. She accused Caruso of 'exploiting tragedy and grief' at a time when the city should be uniting. 'Why would you do that?' she asked. 'He’s better than that, and I was just disappointed.' Her comments highlight a deeper tension between two powerful figures who once battled for the mayor’s seat in 2022, with Bass emerging victorious despite Caruso’s record-breaking $104 million campaign spend.
But here’s the twist: Just weeks before his public criticism, Caruso was working alongside Bass to address the 'mansion tax,' a 2023 property transfer tax targeting homes valued over $5 million. As the developer behind iconic shopping centers like The Grove and The Americana at Brand, Caruso has a significant stake in L.A.’s real estate landscape. So, is his critique of Bass’s leadership genuinely about the fire, or is there more to the story? And this is the part most people miss: Caruso has hinted at another run for office, whether as L.A. mayor or California governor. Could this be a strategic move to position himself as a vocal critic of the current administration?
Caruso’s statement on Wednesday was unapologetically blunt. 'Everything we feared about this disaster being preventable turned out to be 100 percent true,' he said. 'This was a failure of government on an epic level, starting with Mayor Bass. Her leadership directly led to people dying and thousands of lives being upended.' Strong words, but are they fair? Bass, who plans to campaign for reelection next year (her promised last term), seems unfazed, focusing instead on what she calls Caruso’s 'sad and bitter' tone.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: While Bass and Caruso may disagree on the fire’s handling, their recent collaboration on the 'mansion tax' suggests they can work together. So, is this feud purely political, or does it reflect a deeper divide in how they envision L.A.’s future? And what does this mean for the city as Bass gears up for reelection and Caruso eyes another run for office? One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a spat—it’s a clash of ideologies, egos, and ambitions.
As the dust settles, one question lingers: Can L.A. afford this kind of division, especially in the wake of a tragedy like the Palisades Fire? Or is this exactly the kind of debate the city needs to move forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Caruso’s criticism is justified, or is Bass right to call him out? The conversation is just getting started.
