Trump Criticizes Fox News for Featuring Steyer Instead of Republican Candidates

The former president took aim at the network for discussing the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in California.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A fractured, geometric painting featuring overlapping waves of bold colors like red, blue, and yellow, depicting a podium or lectern in an abstract, avant-garde style.The heated rhetoric and partisan divisions surrounding the California governor's race are reflected in this dynamic, abstract illustration.Los Angeles Today

President Trump criticized Fox News for featuring California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer (D) instead of discussing Republican candidates in the race, including his endorsed candidate Steve Hilton. Trump claimed Fox was 'making it possible for a guy like this to win' and urged voters to support Hilton to 'turn California around'.

Why it matters

Trump's criticism of Fox News for its coverage of the California governor's race highlights the ongoing tensions between the former president and the network, which he has accused of being unfair to him and his allies. The race in California is also seen as a key battleground, with Republicans hoping to flip the governorship in a state that has been dominated by Democrats in recent years.

The details

In a post on Truth Social, Trump mocked Fox News for featuring Steyer, a billionaire Democratic candidate, 'instead of talking about' Republican candidates like Hilton, who Trump has endorsed. Trump claimed that with California's 'Mail In Voting and Rigged Elections,' Fox News was 'making it possible for a guy like this to win' by promoting Steyer. Steyer responded by sharing a screenshot of Trump's post, saying 'California: The man who brought you $8 gasoline would like you to vote for Steve Hilton.'

  • On April 15, 2026, President Trump criticized Fox News for its coverage of the California governor's race.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has been critical of Fox News' coverage of Republican candidates.

Tom Steyer

A Democratic candidate for California governor who was featured in a segment on Fox News, drawing criticism from Trump.

Steve Hilton

A Republican candidate for California governor who has received Trump's endorsement.

Fox News

The cable news network that Trump criticized for its coverage of the California governor's race.

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What they’re saying

“'Why is FoxNews showing SLEAZEBAG Tom Steyer, doing a big piece on him right now, and probably putting him 'into play,' instead of talking about Republican Candidates, and really good ones like Steve Hilton, and Republicans?'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“'California: The man who brought you $8 gasoline would like you to vote for Steve Hilton.'”

— Tom Steyer, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The California Republican Party has not endorsed a candidate in the governor's race, as no GOP candidate reached the 60% threshold required for an endorsement. The race remains competitive, with Steyer leading the crowded field of Democratic candidates and Hilton, Trump's endorsed candidate, in second place according to recent polling.

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of Fox News' coverage of the California governor's race highlights the ongoing tensions between the former president and the network, as well as the high stakes of the race in a state that has been dominated by Democrats in recent years. The lack of a Republican endorsement in the race also underscores the challenges facing the GOP in California.