Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass returned a lavish $600 gift bag sent by Kim Kardashian after her election victory, newly uncovered documents revealed.
Last month, reality TV star Bass sent some of her superstar family’s staple products, including SKIMS goodies, as well as items from her siblings’ various business ventures.
While Kardashian and many other famous LA residents supported Bass’s opponent Rick Caruso last November, the SKIMS founder made it a point to congratulate the first woman mayor in the city’s history.
The mayor’s gift list was obtained by Portal editor Ben Welsh at the request of the Freedom of Information Act. Welsh shared the list of items and their value on Reddit.
The mayor’s office awarded a total value of $600 for the gifts, which they described as: “Swag bag – SKIMS items, Messenger, alcohol, hot sauce, makeup items, face sunscreen, hats.”
Kim Kardashian sent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass a $600 gift basket, which she declined
The reality TV star sent Bass some of her family’s key products, including items from her SKIMS brand. Pictured above are women’s boxers for $34 – one of the store’s cheapest items
Kim’s brother Rob Kardashian owns Grandeza Hot Sauce, which he co-launched with his mother, Kris Jenner
The makeup products may have come from Kylie Jenner’s hugely successful line – the youngest sister’s famous lip sets retail for $34
This description could mean that the basket contained items from all of Kim’s relatives – except Khloe.
Kim’s brother Rob Kardashian owns Grandeza Hot Sauce, which he launched with mom Kris Jenner in 2022 and sells on Amazon for $17.99.
For her part, Kendall Jenner is the owner of the popular 818 tequila brand, which starts at $39.99 for the Blanco and goes up to $189 for a reserve bottle.
Kendall Jenner is the owner of the popular 818 tequila brand, which starts at $39.99
As for makeup, it’s possible the products are from Kylie Jenner’s super-successful line – the youngest sister’s famous lip sets retail for $34.
Additionally, Kourtney sells a $190 anti-aging LED sunscreen mask on her lifestyle website, Poosh.
The gifts were returned for ethical reasons, as the city has strict policies regarding the acceptance of gifts, which include disclosing gifts over $50.
The mayor can accept gifts from organizations with prior financial ties to the city up to a monetary value of over $100, and up to $590 if they are from a non-government source such as the Kardashians.
But the Kardashians weren’t the only celebrity names to send Bass a gift that was turned down; The city’s sports team also tried unsuccessfully to get their new mayor a few gifts.
LA Dodgers Senior Director of Government and Community Relations Kristin McCowein sent a jersey, sweatshirt and yearbook worth $229.
Bass also turned down two custom-made LA Football Club jerseys valued at $260.
She also turned down a $97 necklace sent by designer Maya Brenner, a $11 mobile tablet and $200 clothing from political strategist Howard Sunkin.
Kourtney sells a $190 anti-aging LED sunscreen mask on her lifestyle website, Poosh
Bass also turned down two $260 custom LA Football Club jerseys (stock image)
However, the mayor did accept some gifts, including several flower arrangements, books, snacks and wine.
She also accepted a $30 tea set from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen and a $40 “Filipino Snacks” gift basket from Edgar Barajas, the Attorney General of the Philippines.
The Democrat was elected in November after pledging to tackle the city’s runaway homelessness crisis.
Bass’ challenge is evident in nearly every LA neighborhood, where the homeless live in trash-strewn camps or rusting RVs lining streets, under underpasses, and close to freeway exits.
About half of the homeless population — more than 40,000 across the city — struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, and about a third have serious mental illnesses. An average of five homeless deaths per day.
Bass, who was on President Joe Biden’s shortlist for vice president, defeated billionaire businessman Rick Caruso in November’s election.