President Trump endorsed conservative commentator Steve Hilton for governor of California on Sunday night.
The endorsement could have a major impact in a race that remains up for grabs, with recent opinion polls showing Hilton and his primary Republican rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, as leading contenders in the 2026 race.
“He is a truly fine man, one who has watched this once great State go to hell,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that he has known Hilton for many years.
In his endorsement, Trump praised Hilton while attacking California Gov. Gavin Newsom's record, using a derogatory name for the governor. Newsom is in the final year of his final term as governor as he considers running for president in 2028.
“Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job. People are fleeing, crime is rising, and taxes are the highest of any state in the country, maybe the world. Steve can turn this around before it's too late, and as president, I'll help him do it! With federal help,” Trump said.
Despite California's solidly Democratic electorate, a recent poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that Hilton and Bianco were leading the crowded field of candidates just months before the June 2 primary, leading to the possibility that Democrats will be shut out of the November election that will determine California's next governor. The large Democratic field in the race has divided voters within their party, providing an opportunity for Republicans, the poll showed.
Under the state's top-two primary system, the top two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.
If Trump's endorsement leads California Republican voters to rally behind Hilton, severely damaging Bianco's campaign, that would likely reduce the odds of two Republican candidates finishing first and second in the primary.
Trump's endorsement came a day after Hilton and Bianco faced off in a testy debate in Rancho Mirage that was moderated by Richard Grenell, Trump's former ambassador to Germany, and days before the state Republican Party met in San Diego to consider an endorsement in the race.
On Saturday, Bianco said he suspected Trump would influence the race and that his team had been in talks with the president's advisers.
“Of course, I would like him to support me. He is the president of the United States,” Bianco said in an interview.
Hilton questioned Saturday whether the president would intervene in the race.
“I have said that I would be honored to have the President's endorsement. I think the California gubernatorial race is well below his [agenda] “At this point,” he said in an interview, “I haven't asked for that and I don't expect him to intervene.”
Jon Fleischman, former executive director of the California Republican Party, wrote on Substack on Sunday night that he believes Trump's endorsement will significantly increase support for Hilton among Republican voters.
“This timing is not accidental,” he wrote, noting that while it was previously unclear whether any of the candidates could receive 60% of the delegate votes to secure the party's nod at its next convention. “Well, obviously this endorsement from the president of Hilton will increase his momentum heading into the convention this weekend.”
