Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor
The president’s backing could consolidate the GOP base and undercut a strategy to keep Democrats out of the runoff.
Apr 6, 2026, 3:26 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- Trump’s endorsement could consolidate Republican voters behind Steve Hilton, reducing the odds that two GOP candidates finish first and second in California’s June 2 primary and lock Democrats out of the November runoff.
Driving the news:
- President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social late Sunday night that he has “COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT” for Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and ex-British government strategist, and pledged federal help to turn California around.
- Trump blasted Gov. Gavin Newsom as “Newscum” and said Democrats have done a “horrendous job,” citing crime, taxes and out-migration.
State of play:
- California’s “top-two” primary on June 2 advances the top two finishers to November regardless of party, raising the risk that two Republicans could advance if the Democratic field stays fragmented.
- A UC Berkeley IGS poll showed Hilton at 17% and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 16%, with Democrats Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter at 13% each; no candidate has a clear lead.
What they're saying:
- “With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” Trump wrote.
- Hilton’s campaign thanked Trump and said, “this is the moment California has been waiting for!”.
- Hilton said he has not spoken with Trump about the race and that he would be “honored” to have the endorsement, while emphasizing a non-ideological, California-first platform.
Reality check:
- Trump’s intervention could split the GOP vote less evenly between Hilton and Bianco, lowering the odds of a two-Republican runoff and potentially freeing up tens of millions of dollars for Democratic groups that had prepared to boost one Republican to avoid a lockout.
- California remains a Democratic-leaning state, and Hilton has sought to avoid nationalizing the race even as he welcomes Trump’s backing.
What to watch:
- Whether Hilton consolidates GOP support ahead of the June 2 primary and whether Bianco’s campaign can hold ground without a split.
- The California GOP convention in San Diego, where delegates will consider an official endorsement in the race.
- If Democratic groups shift spending to bolster a single candidate or if the party coordinates to prevent a two-Republican runoff.
The bottom line:
- Trump’s endorsement could reshape the California governor’s race by consolidating the GOP base and complicating Democrats’ lockout-prevention strategy.