Trump Endorses Hilton in California Governor Race

President Donald Trump has endorsed Steve Hilton in his bid for California governor, praising him on Truth Social early Monday morning. The endorsement comes ahead of a critical vote at the California GOP convention this Sunday in San Diego, where delegates will decide which candidate to back in the June primary election.

The president called Hilton 'a truly fine man' and criticized current Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats for high taxes, increasing crime rates, and people fleeing the state. In his endorsement post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that California had 'gone to hell' but expressed confidence in Hilton's ability to turn things around with federal support.

Hilton responded to the endorsement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude and stating that with Trump's backing and federal support, he would make California better than ever before. The former Fox News host and British immigrant, who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, is one of two leading Republican candidates for governor alongside Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The primary election is set for June 2, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November ballot regardless of party affiliation. Recent opinion polls show Hilton and Bianco as top contenders in a crowded field that includes eight Democratic candidates such as Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and entrepreneur Tom Steyer.

Hilton's platform, which he calls 'Califordable', focuses on lowering the cost of living through measures like reducing gas prices to $3 a gallon, halving energy costs via deregulation, and eliminating state income tax for Californians earning less than $100,000 annually. He has also proposed restricting Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants and launched an anti-fraud initiative called 'Cal Doge', claiming waste and fraud in state programs have cost taxpayers over $430 billion in the past five years.

Bianco, who recently gained national attention for seizing ballots in Riverside County during a 2025 referendum on redistricting House seats, has expressed defiance toward Trump's endorsement. In a social media video, he criticized political insiders trying to select leaders and emphasized that the election belongs to the people.

Trump's endorsement is expected to boost Hilton's support among GOP delegates at the convention, where backing from 60% of delegates is needed for the party's official endorsement. However, some analysts suggest that while Trump's support may help Hilton in the primary, it could potentially hurt his chances in November due to the president's low approval ratings in California.

The race includes a diverse field of Democratic candidates such as former congresswoman Katie Porter, who is known for her consumer advocacy and high-profile work in Congress. Other notable Democrats include Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Tom Steyer, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond, Ian Calderon. Each candidate brings unique strengths and focuses on issues like affordability, education, and environmental policies.