President Trump endorsed Steve Hilton in the California gubernatorial election. “I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years. He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to H***. Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job,” Trump said. “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! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!” he continued. Full post below: Fox News has more: Hilton, a Republican, is running in a crowded jungle primary that includes candidates from both sides of the political aisle. The top two candidates in the June 2, 2026, primary will advance to the general election. Some of the Democratic candidates seeking the governorship include Biden-era Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becera, Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Trump’s full-throated endorsement of Hilton may hurt Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is one of the other Republicans running for the role. Hilton and Bianco had been the top two contenders in some public opinion polls, giving Republicans hope that no Democrat would finish in the primary’s top two positions. That scenario may be less likely now, as Hilton’s support is likely to rise and Bianco’s drop in light of the president’s endorsement. “Trump kills any GOP hopes of an R vs R runoff in the California governor’s race,” California Target Book Research Director Rob Pyers commented. “(unless he dual-endorses and we get a Chad Bianco Truth post shortly),” Pyers added. (unless he dual-endorses and we get a Chad Bianco Truth post shortly) — Rob Pyers (@rpyers) April 6, 2026 “Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton likely frees up tens of millions of dollars for Democratic groups who would have otherwise had to spend heavily to elevate one of the two leading GOP gubernatorial candidates to avoid a Democratic lockout,” Pyers said. “While the odds were slim, California’s base GOP vote generally falls between 35-40% despite its 25% registration share (45% Dem, 23% Independent), leaving 60-65% available for the standing room only Democratic field and giving Rs an outside shot had support remained evenly divided between Bianco and Hilton,” he continued. While the odds were slim, California's base GOP vote generally falls between 35-40% despite its 25% registration share (45% Dem, 23% Independent), leaving 60-65% available for the standing room only Democratic field and giving Rs an outside shot had support remained evenly… — Rob Pyers (@rpyers) April 6, 2026 “With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before! Thank you, Mr. President! This is the moment California has been waiting for!” Hilton’s campaign X account responded. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP JUST GAVE STEVE HILTON HIS COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT FOR GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA! In his powerful statement, President Trump said: “I have known and respected Steve Hilton… for many years. He is a truly fine man… Steve can turn it around, before… pic.twitter.com/gZnuOeH80y — Steve Hilton For Governor (@TeamSteveHilton) April 6, 2026 POLITICO shared further: While Hilton and Bianco had both openly invited the president’s endorsement, Hilton, who has talked with Trump over the years, told POLITICO on Thursday that he had not spoken with Trump about the race. “I’d be honored to have the president’s endorsement, but I think that the California governor’s race is close to the last thing on his mind right now,” said Hilton, a former policy adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron. “He’s got a lot on his plate, and so I’ve never discussed that with him.” The endorsement comes before California GOP delegates vote at their convention in San Diego this upcoming weekend on whether to endorse in the race. A party nod had looked unlikely given the large margin needed for an endorsement and the several low-polling candidates poised to peel off votes from party activists. But Trump’s involvement could change that calculation. Still, in a state where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans and Trump is widely loathed, Hilton had sought to avoid nationalizing the election. “The media obsession and the California Democrats’ obsession with Trump doesn’t do our state any favors. We have to focus on California issues, and that’s what I’m doing,” Hilton said late last week. He said he did “not at all” see an electoral risk in Trump wading in before the primary. He and Bianco have both been lacing into each other in an effort to consolidate the Republican vote — including during a Saturday night debate moderated by Trump’s former Kennedy Center head and special envoy Richard Grenell.