President Trump made waves in the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom (D) by endorsing Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, early Monday morning. On his Truth Social platform, the President said that he has known and respected Hilton for many years.
“He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell. Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job,” he wrote. “People are fleeing, crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World.”
“Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!” Trump added. “Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.”
@SteveHiltonx has secured Trump’s endorsement for CA Gov. LET’S GOOOOOOOOO!!!! Make California Golden Again!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/UOq6kKTfq3
— Kira (@Kiradavis) April 6, 2026
The development came as a surprise, not because of the candidate involved, but because he had told Politico just days earlier that he had not discussed the matter with Donald Trump. Both he and Chad Bianco had been actively seeking Trump’s endorsement.
The move also comes amid concern from Democrats about California’s election system, which advances the top two primary candidates to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Party officials have warned the system could result in two Republican candidates appearing on the general election ballot.
Recent polls have shown Bianco and Hilton in the lead, with Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-14) also being a contender. However, Trump’s endorsement significantly increases the likelihood that Republican support will unite behind Hilton, which could severely weaken Bianco’s chances.
Hilton’s campaign responded to Trump’s nod of approval on X.
“With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before!” they wrote. “Thank you, Mr. President! This is the moment California has been waiting for!”
This is certainly a pivotal moment. I envision it as the moment when Hilton wins the gubernatorial race and lifts California out of the liberal challenges that Newsom has imposed on the state for the past eight years.
Hilton, a British immigrant well-known from his Fox News show “The Next Revolution,” previously served as a political adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron. He aims to break the Democrats’ long-standing grip on the Governor’s mansion in the Golden State and provide some economic relief to residents who have been struggling. Hilton has identified the policies of the Democratic Party as the reason behind the soaring housing and gas prices.
“On and on through every issue, I’ll be making the case that it’s 15 years of one-party rule that have brought us to this point, where working families can barely afford to pay the bills, where we have the highest unemployment,” he said in an interview with CNN. “That’s all the result of Democrat policies, not Donald Trump.”
Hilton has proposed tax relief for working Californians by eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 of earnings. Additionally, he aims to introduce a flat tax of 7.5% on earnings above that threshold. To address the state’s homelessness crisis, Hilton plans to enforce statewide bans on encampments and expand mental health treatment facilities.
