The deeply fractured Democratic base in California has opened a rare mathematical window for a Republican to advance to the governor’s mansion. Capitalizing on this shifting political landscape, President Donald Trump officially threw his support behind conservative commentator Steve Hilton early Monday morning.
Trump posted his “complete and total endorsement” of the former Fox News host on his Truth Social platform. In a post published late Sunday night into early Monday, Trump called Hilton a “truly fine man” and pledged “Federal help” to turn the state around if elected president, according to a detailed report published Monday.
The announcement also targeted current Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump used the derogatory moniker “Newscum” and blamed the Democratic administration for the state’s population decline and rising crime rates.
𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐉.𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝟎𝟒:𝟎𝟔.𝟐𝟔 𝟎𝟏:𝟐𝟏 𝐀𝐌 𝐄𝐒𝐓
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.…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 6, 2026
The endorsement arrived at a critical moment for the June 2 primary. Recent polling from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies shows Hilton leading a massive field of candidates. California operates under a top-two open primary system where the two candidates with the most votes advance to November, regardless of their party affiliation.
Right now, the Democratic vote is split between eight major contenders, including Rep. Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter. This massive fracture allowed two Republicans, Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, to surge to the top. A recent internal poll from the California Democratic Party showed Hilton and Bianco statistically tied at 16% and 14%, respectively.
Hilton outpaced his rival in fundraising. He brought in over $6.6 million compared to Bianco’s roughly $4 million. Hilton is running a campaign focused on aggressive deregulation. He wants to shield the first $100,000 of earnings from state income taxes and cut 18% from the state budget. The sudden move reshapes the political world as the remaining candidates scramble to adjust their primary math.
How the CalDOGE Strategy Boxes Out Chad Bianco
The endorsement is a devastating blow to Bianco’s campaign. Democratic candidate and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa previously warned that a formal Trump endorsement would instantly consolidate the Republican base. This consolidation significantly lowers the statistical probability of two Republicans advancing. It drastically increases the mathematical odds that Hilton secures a spot on the November ballot.
Hilton purposefully engineered this alliance. He recently proposed “CalDOGE,” a state-level program designed to audit government waste and fraud. This was a direct, verified nod to the federal Department of Government Efficiency launched by Trump and Elon Musk last year.
A Republican has not won a statewide office in deep-blue California since 2006. By mirroring federal policy and securing Trump’s direct backing, Hilton positioned himself to survive the fractured primary and completely alter the general election dynamics for the governor’s mansion.