Furthermore, Caruso directed criticism towards Mayor Karen Bass for her absence during one of the city's most severe fire seasons, as she was in Ghana at the time.

— Rick J. Caruso (@RickCarusoLA) January 18, 2025. Before the one-on-one with Caruso, ... With Bass having left on town on January 4 for an official visit to Ghana, ...

But her absence in the earlier stages drew criticism from, among others, billionaire businessman Rick Caruso, who lost the mayoral election to Bass in 2022.