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1h ago

Deleted Campaign Clip Draws Sharp Rebukes and Raises Questions About Raman’s Judgment

The episode could shift late voting by refocusing the race on public safety, candidate judgment, officer safety, turnout before the Nov. 3 election.

Sherman Oaks, CA, Estados Unidos — 5 de mayo de 2026: La concejala de Los Ángeles y candidata a la alcaldía, Nithya Raman, participa en un foro de candidatos organizado por la Asociación de Propietarios de Sherman Oaks en el Centro para Adultos Sherman Oaks East Valley, el martes 5 de mayo de 2026, en Sherman Oaks, CA. Tanto Raman como Bass compiten por el cargo de alcalde; las elecciones primarias se celebrarán el 2 de junio y las elecciones generales, el 3 de noviembre. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times vía Getty Images)
Image
Collage of two photos showing Karen Bass speaking at a podium on the left and Eunisses Hernandez speaking at a microphone on the right.
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell speaks at a press conference, flanked by officials including a woman in a blue suit, a man in a blue suit, and an officer in uniform, Image 2 shows Nithya Raman drinks margaritas as ICE conducts a raid in Los Angeles, Image 3 shows A man on a motorcycle waves a Mexican flag during a standoff between protesters and law enforcement as thick black smoke billows into the air in front of a line of police cruisers

Overview

  • A short social-media video filmed with content creator Ed Choi and later deleted showed the line “Only you can stop fascist liars” over images of Mayor Karen Bass and a red X over LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, prompting immediate backlash.
  • On Thursday, Mayor Karen Bass publicly called the clip “incredibly irresponsible” and questioned Raman’s readiness to lead, while Chief McDonnell described the video as disappointing and the police union warned the imagery could endanger officers.
  • Nithya Raman and her campaign said the clip was edited to misrepresent remarks about federal immigration agents, denied that she labeled Bass or McDonnell fascists, and said the post was taken down immediately after the altered version appeared.
  • The controversy arrives as polls show Raman with strong support among some Latino voters but with many undecided voters overall, making late messaging on policing and safety potentially decisive for turnout before Nov. 3.
  • The episode is tied to a broader debate over the LAPD’s role during 2025 ICE raids and protests, and it highlights how influencer-produced, post-produced content can quickly reshape a campaign’s narrative and risks for public officials.