Trump endorses Steve Hilton for California governor, promises federal aid if elected
Cover image from oann.com, which was analyzed for this article
Trump endorsed former Fox host Steve Hilton for California governor, praising him as a fine man amid the 2026 race. The move highlights GOP efforts in blue states. Hilton gains traction in a crowded field.
PoliticalOS
Monday, April 6, 2026
Trump's endorsement boosts Hilton in a tight, fragmented California governor's race under the top-two system. Polls vary with Republicans leading some but Democrats competitive in others; Trump's state critiques are disputed by data. Watch GOP convention and primary consolidation efforts.
What outlets missed
Outlets underreported counter-data to Trump's claims, such as California violent crime declining 5.2% in 2025 per state DOJ figures and taxes not unequivocally the highest when factoring local rates. No article aggregated polls into a consensus average, where aggregates like RealClearPolitics equivalents show undecideds at 20-25% and no consistent leader. Coverage omitted Hilton's full background shift from U.K. green policies to current California conservatism.
President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and candidate for California governor, in a Truth Social post early on April 5, 2026. Trump described Hilton as 'a truly fine man' whom he has known for many years and said Hilton had watched California, 'this once great State,' go 'to Hell.'
Trump blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, and Democrats for doing 'an absolutely horrendous job,' claiming 'People are fleeing, crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World.' Trump promised that if elected, Hilton could 'turn it around' with federal assistance from the president. 'Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,' Trump wrote.