President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Steve Hilton, a Fox News contributor and British-American political strategist, for the governorship of California. This high-profile backing from the sitting President aims to consolidate the conservative vote in a crowded primary field and challenge the state’s long-standing Democratic leadership.
Hilton previously served as a senior advisor to former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to California and hosting The Next Revolution on Fox News. His unique background as a policy architect and media personality has made him a leading voice for reform in the West.
The endorsement underscores President Trump’s active role in shaping the party’s future from the White House. By supporting Hilton, the President is signaling a preference for "outsider" candidates who embrace bold, unconventional platforms. Hilton is running on a nonpartisan-branded platform called "Califordable," which focuses on radical deregulation, eliminating state income tax for those earning under $100,000, and addressing the homelessness crisis through his "CalDOGE" initiative—a state-level mirror of the federal Department of Government Efficiency.
Political analysts suggest that Trump’s involvement could mobilize grassroots supporters in a race where Hilton is currently neck-and-neck with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. However, the endorsement remains a strategic gamble in a state where Trump’s approval ratings are polarized, though it significantly increases the chances of a Republican "top-two" lockout of Democrats in the June primary.
Hilton expressed his gratitude for the "complete and total endorsement," stating he is ready to end "one-party rule" in Sacramento. As the June 2 primary approaches, the contest is drawing national attention as a test of whether populist-conservative messaging can flip a deep-blue stronghold.