Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has come under fire after a campaign video went viral revealing that donations to her re-election bid are being matched using taxpayer money. In the clip, Bass urges supporters to donate, telling viewers their contribution is "more critical than ever before," but critics say the ad exposed a city-funded scheme that effectively boosts her campaign coffers at public expense, prompting backlash online.

According to the report, the city's programme matches donations to Bass's campaign at a rate of six-to-one using public funds. The revelation has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who argue it amounts to taxpayers subsidising the incumbent mayor's re-election effort, fuelling a wider row over the use of public money in local political campaigns.