Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, publicly expressed regret over the newspaper's endorsement of Mayor Karen Bass during the 2022 mayoral election. Speaking on the "2 Way" podcast, Soon-Shiong stated, "At the LA Times we endorsed Karen Bass, I think right now that’s a mistake, and we admit that." This comes as Bass faces intense public scrutiny for her handling of the recent devastating wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles.

The mayor's absence from the state during the initial outbreak of the fires, while attending the presidential inauguration in Ghana, drew considerable criticism. Upon her return, Bass further fueled public discontent by avoiding questions from reporters and delivering a press conference that many found unconvincing. Her widely-mocked message to the public, advising them to find emergency information at a generic URL, only amplified concerns about her leadership during the crisis.

A Change.org petition calling for Bass's resignation, citing her "gross incompetence," has garnered over 123,000 signatures. The petition highlights the strain on water resources, alleged misallocation of taxpayer funds, and the tragic loss of life during the wildfires. Soon-Shiong echoed these concerns on the podcast, emphasizing the need for competent leadership and questioning the current political system's focus on campaigning over practical experience. He also drew a comparison between the Republican party and the Democratic party, suggesting that the former has adopted the latter's focus on addressing the concerns of everyday citizens.