Chicago – April 06, 2026
Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in the California governor’s race, giving the former British political aide and Fox News host a major boost in the crowded 2026 contest. Trump posted on Truth Social that Hilton is “a truly fine man” and said he would help him if elected, while praising him as someone who can “turn it around.”
Hilton, who previously served as a strategist for former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to California, thanked Trump and said he would focus on jobs and the state’s cost of living. The endorsement is seen as important because California’s top-two primary system could shape which candidates advance to November.
The move may also have political risks. Analysts note that Trump remains unpopular with many California voters, and his backing could energize Democrats as much as Republicans in a state where the GOP has struggled statewide for two decades.
The endorsement comes as Hilton competes against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and other candidates in a race without a clear frontrunner.
