2026: The Year Los Angeles Defied Expectations in Politics and Beyond
A series of unexpected events unfolded across California in 2026, reshaping politics, sports, and even outer space. From a billionaire's surprise election victory to a meteor scare in Los Angeles, the year brought bizarre twists few could have predicted.
One of the strangest moments came when, for a single hour, Southeast L.A. County saw no political scandals at all.
The year began with a shock in Los Angeles politics. Billionaire developer Rick Caruso, after ruling out runs for governor and mayor, set his sights on a City Council seat instead. He challenged incumbent Traci Park, pouring a record-breaking $538 million into the race—and won. Once in office, Caruso broke expectations by aligning with progressive council members to tackle homelessness, housing costs, and traffic gridlock.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would not seek the presidency in 2028. Instead, he retreated to a remote ranch, taking a vow of silence until California's high-speed rail project completed its first phase. His withdrawal left the state's political landscape in flux.
Sports saw its own upheavals. The Angels finally returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, only to be swept in the first round. UCLA football, in a bold move, abandoned the Rose Bowl for the smaller Westwood Recreation Center. Despite an undefeated season, the team struggled to draw crowds to the cramped venue.
Then came the cosmic scare. NASA warned of a meteor hurtling toward Los Angeles, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to order a citywide evacuation—though she herself stayed behind. The threat passed, but not before causing panic.
In Washington, an unlikely transformation occurred. Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's hardline deportation policies, suffered a bizarre accident: a Rogaine mishap allegedly caused him to grow a heart. Overnight, he reversed course, urging the president to halt deportations and grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants.
Amid the chaos, a rare moment of calm arrived. For exactly 60 minutes, Southeast L.A. County experienced no political scandals—a record so unusual it made headlines.
The year also marked the passing of satirist Tom Lehrer, who had abandoned his music career in the 1970s to teach mathematics. Lehrer once quipped that political satire died when Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize. Given 2026's events, many wondered if he had been right all along.
By the end of 2026, California had witnessed a billionaire's progressive turn, a governor's silent protest, and a near-catastrophic meteor. The Angels' playoff run ended in disappointment, while UCLA's stadium gamble failed to pay off. A brief scandal-free hour offered a fleeting respite.
Yet the most enduring change may have come from an accidental act of kindness—proof that even the most entrenched policies could shift in unexpected ways.
