Spencer Pratt Revives Chelsea Handler's Epstein Dinner As Feud Erupts
Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt has reignited a long-running feud with comedian Chelsea Handler by resurfacing a past claim about her attending a dinner at Jeffrey Epstein's home after she criticized his Los Angeles mayoral bid.
The clash escalated after Handler posted a video questioning Pratt's qualifications and fitness to run for office, prompting him to hit back on social media by sharing a clip from a recent comedy roast referencing the 2010 dinner, in a post that has now been viewed more than 2.7 million times.
It comes as Pratt's campaign gains traction ahead of the June 2026 primary, pulling a comedy‑world controversy into a political race.
Newsweek reached out to Pratt and Handler for comment via email and website contact form, respectively, on Saturday morning.
Why It Matters
The dispute blends entertainment, politics and past controversies, with viral social media moments helping to shape public perceptions of candidates.
It also shows how material from televised events-including comedy roasts-can quickly move into political debate and campaign messaging.
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What To Know
Handler triggered the latest flashpoint on Friday, May 15, with a video attacking Pratt's run for Los Angeles mayor, questioning his qualifications and drawing a comparison to past reality TV figures entering politics, while speaking over an image of President Donald Trump.
In the clip, Handler said: "If you're seeing this video, this is a reminder that a straight, white male former reality star that has no previous experience in government should not be a legitimate political candidate," before adding, "The bar is on the floor, people. And I need you to jump over it."
Pratt responded on X by quote-tweeting the clip and sharing footage from Netflix's The Roast of Kevin Hart, in which comedian Shane Gillis referenced Handler attending a dinner at Epstein's home in 2010.
He captioned the post: "Most of you have probably never heard of Chelsea Handler, so here's an introduction!"
During the roast he shared, Gillis told the audience: "Chelsea Handler went to dinner at Jeffrey Epstein's house in 2010," adding that the gathering was small and included high-profile attendees.
Dinner With Epstein
The moment, which aired as part of the May 10 Netflix special, quickly circulated online and brought renewed attention to Handler's past comments about the dinner.
Handler addressed the incident publicly in 2025, saying on actor Rob Lowe's podcast that she attended one dinner at Epstein's home but "didn't know who Jeffrey Epstein was" at the time.
She said she had gone with journalist Katie Couric and that other attendees included Woody Allen, Soon‑Yi Previn, Charlie Rose, and the former Prince Andrew.
In that account, Handler described the evening as "awkward" and emphasized it was the only time she met Epstein, adding that she was never on his private island or plane.
No Implication of Wrongdoing
The resurfaced claim stems from a comedy routine and public statements about a single reported dinner, and there is no implication of wrongdoing on the part of Handler or anyone else who attended the event.
The latest exchange marks a revival of tensions between the two figures dating back to the late 2000s, when Handler frequently criticized Pratt and his wife on her television show.
Pratt's campaign has gained attention in recent weeks through viral online content and his positioning as an outsider candidate in the race to unseat Mayor Karen Bass, who has been endorsed by former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
What Happens Next
How far the row escalates may now hinge on whether it continues to impact Pratt's campaign ahead of the June 2 primary.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 9:14 AM.