Trump Endorses Steve Hilton for California Governor

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Steve Hilton for governor of California late Sunday, April 5, 2026. The endorsement enters a wide-open race where Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco have emerged as top contenders according to recent opinion polls.

Trump announced the endorsement via a post on Truth Social, describing Hilton as a truly fine man and stating that he has known the conservative commentator for many years. In the post, Trump criticized the current state of California, asserting that the state has gone to Hell and that Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job.

The president specifically targeted the record of Governor Gavin Newsom, using a derogatory name for the governor and claiming that crime is increasing while taxes remain the highest in the country or possibly the world. Trump pledged that as president, he would provide federal help to assist Hilton in turning the state around.

Candidate Background and Platform

Steve Hilton is a conservative commentator and former Fox News host who announced his campaign for governor in Huntington Beach in 2025. His professional background includes serving as a top adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012, though he later became critical of Cameron’s immigration policies.

Hilton moved to California in 2012, joining Stanford University as a visiting scholar. He stated in 2019 that he was applying for United States citizenship. His current campaign for governor is built on a platform of cutting the state budget and lowering taxes, with a focus on reducing housing and other living costs for families.

Hilton expressed that he was deeply honored to receive the endorsement via a post on X on Monday, April 6, 2026. His campaign described the president’s backing as powerful.

Impact on the Gubernatorial Race

The endorsement arrives approximately one month before mail ballots are distributed to voters for the June 2 primary. Hilton is one of 10 candidates competing in the primary. Under California’s top-two or jungle primary system, the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election in November.

Political analysts suggest the endorsement may help Hilton consolidate support among conservative voters. However, some reports indicate that Trump’s backing could be a liability in the general election if Hilton faces a Democratic opponent, given Trump’s lack of popularity among the broader liberal-leaning electorate in California.

Republicans have not won a statewide election in California for two decades. The current field is seen as a rare opportunity for the GOP to capture the governor’s mansion, particularly if the Democratic field remains splintered.

There is concern among Democrats that the primary system could result in two Republicans, such as Hilton and Chad Bianco, securing the top two spots and locking Democrats out of the November runoff. Some analysts suggest Trump’s endorsement of Hilton may actually make that specific outcome less likely by shifting the distribution of conservative support.

Governor Gavin Newsom is currently serving the final year of his final term and is considering a run for president in 2028.