President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor early Monday on Truth Social, praising the former Fox News host as the candidate to revive the state.

Trump wrote: “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 this once great State has gone to Hell,” adding criticism of current leadership under Gov. Gavin Newsom. He continued, “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!”

The endorsement comes ahead of California's nonpartisan top-two primary on June 2, 2026, where the two highest vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party. Newsom, a Democrat, is term-limited after two terms. The race features more than two dozen candidates, including eight prominent Democrats such as former U.S. Reps. Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and ex-Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Hilton, a British-born conservative commentator and former policy adviser to U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, launched his campaign in April 2025 with a pledge to "Make California Golden Again." His platform focuses on creating great jobs through tax cuts like no income tax under $100,000 and a 7.5% flat rate above that, deregulation and affordable energy; building more single-family homes by slashing fees and regulations; improving education with school choice, teacher accountability and parental rights; and bolstering public safety to combat crime, homelessness and illegal immigration.

Recent polls show a fragmented field with high undecided voters. A University of California, Berkeley poll last month had Hilton at 17% and rival Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 16%, ahead of Democratic contenders like Swalwell at 14% and Porter at 13%. Aggregates place Hilton leading Republicans at around 15.5%.

Hilton responded that he would be honored by Trump's support but emphasized focusing on state issues over national figures. "The media obsession and the California Democrats’ obsession with Trump doesn’t do our state any favors," he said last week. He noted strong Trump support in California based on 2024 vote totals. Bianco, who had also sought Trump's backing, faces a setback as the endorsement consolidates GOP support behind Hilton.

Some Republicans worry the move could harm their strategy of letting Democrats split votes to send two GOP candidates to the runoff in the blue state. Democrats, led by party chair Rusty Hicks, downplayed the lockout risk and urged weaker candidates to exit. The endorsement may nationalize the race, potentially mobilizing anti-Trump voters while energizing the Republican base.