Calif. gubernatorial favorite reveals what he promised Trump in late-night call ahead of endorsement

President Donald Trump spoke with Steve Hilton during a phone call in which Hilton made sweeping promises to voters just hours before the president endorsed him in California’s governor’s race.

Hilton, a conservative political commentator and former political advisor, told the California Post exclusively that he had a phone conversation with the president Sunday night and had made a pledge to him.

“I made the same promise to him that I’m now making to every Californian: I will work harder than you’ve ever seen to bring about the change we so desperately need after 16 years of Democrat one-party rule that have given us the highest poverty rate, highest unemployment rate and highest cost of living in America,” he said.

Hilton said he was “of course” honored to have Trump’s endorsement, despite pundits claiming that he and the other GOP runner, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, would want to distance themselves from Trump for being unpopular in the state.

Hilton described such claims as out of touch with reality, even if some on the left said the endorsement would help avoid a situation where two Republicans lock out Democrats from the general election.

“Don’t these elitist Democrats realize how angry Californians are? Don’t they see the struggles of working families and small businesses who just can’t take it any more?” he asked.

“All the Democrat experts and media commentators saying, ‘How can a Republican win in California?’ are asking the wrong question,” Hilton went on. “Instead they should be asking: How on earth can a Democrat win, with their record of complete and total failure after 16 years of one-party rule with no-one else to blame.”

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Hilton has been a consistent frontrunner in many polls of the gubernatorial race as a crowded Democratic field splits up the party’s voting base.

Trump, in his endorsement, called Hilton “a truly fine man” and used the opportunity to take jabs at Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited but may run for president in 2028. Hilton is also a frequent critic of Newsom, whom both have blamed for the state’s high cost of living and public safety issues.

The endorsement represents a turning page much needed for California, Hilton said.

“Change is coming to California,” Hilton said. “The president sees it, I see it and very soon so will our entire state.”