President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor in a post on Truth Social early Monday morning. According to multiple reports, Trump praised Hilton as a 'truly fine man' and criticized current Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats for high taxes, increasing crime, and people fleeing the state.
Key Takeaways
President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor on Truth Social, praising his ability to turn around the state's issues with federal support. Hilton expressed gratitude and confidence in improving California with Trump's backing. The primary election is set for June 2, featuring a crowded field including eight Democratic candidates.
Hilton responded to the endorsement on X, expressing gratitude and stating that with Trump's backing and federal support, he would make California better than ever before. Hilton is a former Fox News host and British immigrant who became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He is one of two leading Republican candidates for governor, along with 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. According to Los Angeles Times, recent opinion polls show Hilton and Bianco as top contenders in the race. The crowded field includes eight Democratic candidates, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and entrepreneur Tom Steyer.
Hilton has attributed high housing and gas prices to Democrat policies during an interview with CNN. He studied at Oxford University and worked for the Conservative Party in Britain before moving to California in 2012. Bianco has been making headlines over his seizure of ballots from the 2025 referendum, which allowed the state to redistrict its House of Representatives seats.
Trump announced his backing on Truth Social, writing that Hilton 'has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT' and pledging federal support for his candidacy. 'Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so,' he wrote.
Hilton's platform, which he calls 'Califordable', focuses on lowering the cost of living. In a weekend interview with California Politics 360, he promised to bring gas prices down to $3 a gallon, halve energy costs through deregulation and scrap state income tax for Californians earning $100,000 or less. He has also proposed restricting Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants and launched a volunteer anti-fraud initiative he calls 'Cal Doge', claiming waste and fraud in state programs have cost taxpayers more than $430bn over five years.
Despite having said he would welcome Trump's support, Hilton told Politico last week that the two had not discussed the race. 'I'd be honored to have the president's endorsement, but I think the California governor's race is close to the last thing on his mind right now,' he said.
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