President Donald Trump is throwing his weight behind Republican candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton as the race for California governor begins to take shape, offering a high-profile endorsement that could energize conservatives in a state long dominated by Democrats.
In an early Monday post on Truth Social, Trump praised Hilton as a capable and trusted figure, while sharply criticizing the current direction of California under Democratic leadership. The president said he has known Hilton for years and described him as someone who has witnessed what he sees as the state’s decline firsthand.
“I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” Trump wrote. “He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell.”
Trump also took aim at Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, reviving one of his familiar nicknames and accusing state leaders of mismanagement. He pointed to issues such as rising crime, population loss, and high taxes, arguing that Californians are paying the price for what he called failed policies.
“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.”
Hilton, who announced his candidacy last year, is seeking to replace Newsom, who is term-limited and widely viewed as a potential contender for the presidency in 2028. The contest is expected to draw significant national attention, not only because of California’s size and influence, but also due to the ongoing political clash between Trump and Newsom.
Trump made his support for Hilton unmistakably clear, offering what he called his “complete and total endorsement” and expressing confidence that Hilton would deliver results if elected.
“Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” Trump wrote. “He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!”
Hilton’s campaign quickly embraced the endorsement, responding on social media with an enthusiastic message backing the candidate and amplifying Trump’s support.
While the endorsement may provide Hilton with momentum among Republican voters, the political landscape in California remains challenging for conservatives. Recent polling suggests that Democrats continue to hold an advantage heading into the race. A survey conducted last month by Emerson College and Inside California Politics found that Rep. Eric Swalwell is leading the Democratic primary field to replace Newsom, with 17 percent support among likely voters.
Hilton placed second in that poll with 13 percent support, marking a slight decline from earlier figures. Still, California’s unique nonpartisan primary system could reshape the dynamics of the race. Under that system, the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation, meaning that a strong showing in the primary could position Hilton for a head-to-head matchup in November.
For now, Trump’s endorsement underscores the broader stakes of the contest, as national political figures increasingly weigh in on a race that could serve as a referendum on the direction of the country’s largest state. While Republicans see an opportunity to challenge Democratic dominance, the outcome will ultimately depend on whether candidates can connect with voters in a state where political divisions—and frustrations—continue to run deep.
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