Trending Now - Trump Backs Steve Hilton in California Governor's Race

WHO:

Deadline - President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor.

ABC News - Steve Hilton is a candidate for Governor of California.

ABC News - Chad Bianco is the Riverside County sheriff and a rival Republican candidate.

WHAT:

NBC News - Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton is expected to potentially impact the GOP's chances at flipping the California governor's seat.

ABC News - Trump stated that California is "beset with notoriously high taxes."

ABC News - There are more than 50 candidates on the ballot for the California governor's race, including eight established Democrats.

ABC News - Trump's endorsement is intended to help Hilton lure additional support in a race with no clear leader.

Deadline - Trump stated on Truth Social early on Monday, April 5th, 2026, “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 California has gone to hell.”

ABC News - Trump emphasized that with federal help and a great governor like Hilton, California can be better than ever before.

Deadline - Trump stated on Truth Social, “With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!”

ABC News - Polling in early February 2026 by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California indicated that Bianco, Hilton, and three Democrats—U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer—were in close competition, with other candidates trailing.

Deadline - Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor.

ABC News - Trump stated that California “has gone to hell” and that Hilton could turn the state around.

ABC News - Trump’s endorsement aims to help Hilton consolidate conservative support in a crowded race with over 50 candidates.

WHERE:

ABC News - The race is for Governor of California, the nation's most populous state.

WHEN:

ABC News - Trump posted his endorsement on Truth Social late on Sunday, April 4th, 2026.

ABC News - Mail ballots will go to voters in advance of the primary on June 2nd, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - Democrats are concerned that a quirk in California's primary system could allow only two Republicans to advance to the November general election, which could lead to an all-GOP general election.

ABC News - Democrats are fearful that a quirk in California's primary system could allow only two Republicans to reach the November general election ballot.

ABC News - Trump's endorsement is intended to signal to undecided conservative voters and to help Hilton attract additional support in a race with no clear leader.

ABC News - Trump's endorsement is intended to help Hilton coalesce conservative support in a race with no clear leader, as Democrats fear that a quirk in California's primary system could allow only two Republicans to reach the November general election ballot.

ABC News - Trump’s endorsement is intended to signal to undecided conservative voters and to help Hilton attract additional support.

HOW:

ABC News - The California primary system allows all candidates to be on one primary ballot, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.

ABC News - The California primary system allows only the top two vote-getters to advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation, which could lead to an all-GOP general election.

ABC News - The California primary system allows only the top two vote-getters to advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 23:06 UTC)

Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton is expected to significantly influence the GOP's chances of flipping the California governor's seat. Democrats are worried that California's unique primary system could result in only two Republicans advancing to the November general election, potentially leading to an all-GOP matchup. This primary system allows all candidates to compete on a single ballot, with the top two vote-getters moving forward, regardless of their party affiliation.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 21:06 UTC)

Trump has criticized California for its "notoriously high taxes" as he endorses candidate Hilton in a crowded governor's race featuring over 50 candidates, including eight established Democrats. Democrats are concerned that California's unique primary system could result in only two Republicans making it to the November general election ballot. This system allows all candidates to compete on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing, regardless of their party affiliation.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 19:17 UTC)

on Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to endorse Steve Hilton for Governor of California, praising him as a fine man who has witnessed the state's decline. He expressed confidence that with federal support and Hilton's leadership, California could improve significantly. This endorsement aims to sway undecided conservative voters and bolster Hilton's campaign in a race that currently lacks a clear frontrunner.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 17:11 UTC)

Trump took to Truth Social to express his support for Governor Steve Hilton, stating that with federal help, California can achieve greatness. Recent polling from early February shows Hilton in a tight race with several candidates, including U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, as Democrats worry that the state's primary system could result in only two Republicans making it to the November ballot. This unique primary system allows the top two vote-getters to advance, regardless of party affiliation, raising the stakes for the upcoming election.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 15:12 UTC)

President Trump has endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, in the race for Governor of California, stating that the state “has gone to hell” and expressing confidence that Hilton can turn things around. This endorsement, posted on Truth Social on Sunday, aims to consolidate conservative support in a crowded field of over 50 candidates, including rival Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff. With mail ballots set to go out ahead of the primary June 2nd, Trump's backing is intended to attract undecided conservative voters as only the top two candidates will advance to the November general election.