Month: April 2026

President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Republican candidate Steve Hilton in California’s upcoming gubernatorial contest, a move that could significantly influence an already crowded and unpredictable field.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump praised Hilton, saying, “I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” and described him as “a truly fine man.” Criticizing current state leadership, Trump added, “This once great State has gone to Hell,” blaming Democrats for rising crime, high taxes, and an exodus of residents. He expressed confidence in Hilton’s leadership, stating, “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!” and emphasized, “Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!”

Hilton welcomed the endorsement, writing on X, “With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before! Thank you, Mr. President! This is the moment California has been waiting for!”

A former Fox News host and British-born political strategist, Hilton became a U.S. citizen in 2021. Before moving to California in 2012, he advised former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and played a role in shaping Conservative policies, including environmental initiatives and decentralization efforts.

The June 2 primary features a large pool of candidates, including eight prominent Democrats and two leading Republicans—Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Under California’s “top-two” primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Trump’s endorsement may consolidate Republican voters around Hilton, potentially weakening Bianco’s chances. However, given Trump’s limited popularity in heavily Democratic California, the backing could become a disadvantage in a general election matchup against a Democrat.

On the Democratic side, the field remains divided among several well-known figures, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and entrepreneur Tom Steyer, among others.

Recent polling suggests no clear frontrunner has emerged. Surveys show Hilton and Bianco slightly ahead, with several Democratic candidates close behind, all within a narrow margin. The fragmented vote has raised concerns among Democrats about the unlikely—but possible—scenario of two Republicans advancing to the general election.

Hilton has centered his campaign on lowering taxes, addressing housing affordability, and improving education outcomes. He has also argued that long-term Democratic control is to blame for the state’s economic challenges, saying, “working families can barely afford to pay the bills,” and attributing those struggles to state policies.

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The Supreme Court has opened the door for the criminal case against Steve Bannon to be dismissed, undoing a prior ruling that upheld his conviction for contempt of Congress.

In a brief order issued Monday, the court vacated a decision from a Washington, D.C. appeals court and sent the case back for further proceedings. This move allows the United States Department of Justice to follow through on its request to drop the charges, which it says is in the “interests of justice.”

The case against Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, has stretched back to 2021; he had been out of government since 2017 and was a private citizen at the time of the events in question. Bannon was convicted in 2022 on two counts of contempt after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 United States Capitol attack. The panel had sought documents and testimony related to efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

At the time, Bannon argued he could not cooperate because Trump had invoked executive privilege—an argument his legal team says he followed in good faith. Prosecutors, however, maintained that he willfully defied the subpoena. Although Bannon later indicated a willingness to testify and claimed Trump had waived executive privilege, it did not change the outcome of his trial. His conviction was upheld on appeal in 2024 before now being set aside by the Supreme Court. A jury ultimately found him guilty, and he served a four-month prison sentence in 2024, along with paying a fine.

Now, with the high court’s latest action, the legal process shifts back to lower courts, where the Justice Department is expected to formally move to dismiss the case—effectively erasing the conviction, though largely as a symbolic step since Bannon has already served his sentence.

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President Donald Trump has renewed his warnings to Iran, threatening sweeping attacks on the country’s infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a newly set deadline Tuesday evening.

In a series of posts and interviews, Trump used forceful and often profane language to signal potential military action, saying Iran would be “living in hell” if the vital shipping route remains restricted. He also pledged strikes targeting power plants and bridges, adding that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply moves, has been at the center of the escalating conflict. Iran’s actions in the area — including attacks on vessels — have effectively limited access, sending energy and shipping costs higher worldwide and raising concerns about global supply chains.

Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump has sent mixed signals about a possible diplomatic resolution. He suggested there is still a “good chance” of reaching an agreement but warned that failure to do so would result in massive military action, stating that “if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.”

Iran, for its part, has denied direct negotiations with the United States, though both sides acknowledge indirect communication through intermediaries. Tehran has maintained that the strait remains open to certain देशों and has indicated that access could depend on compensation for war-related damages.

Meanwhile, tensions have intensified across the region. Iran has struck infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf countries and threatened to disrupt another key maritime route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In response, countries across the Middle East have experienced damage to oil facilities, power plants, and water infrastructure, while global markets continue to feel the strain.

The conflict has also seen dramatic military developments. U.S. forces recently carried out a high-risk rescue mission to recover two crew members from a downed F-15E fighter jet inside Iran. Trump described one as “seriously wounded and really brave,” saying the operation took place “deep inside the mountains.” Conflicting accounts have emerged about the mission, with Iran claiming it downed additional U.S. aircraft, while American officials say some equipment was destroyed due to technical issues.

Casualties continue to mount. Thousands have been killed in Iran alone since fighting began in late February, with additional deaths reported across Lebanon, Israel, and other parts of the region. Critical civilian infrastructure — including oil facilities and desalination plants — has been repeatedly targeted, raising concerns among legal experts about potential violations of international law.

Trump’s shifting deadlines and rhetoric have drawn criticism at home. Lawmakers have questioned the administration’s strategy, arguing that the U.S. risks becoming further entangled in a widening conflict without a clear plan. Even so, diplomatic efforts remain underway. Regional and international officials have been in contact behind the scenes, seeking a path to de-escalation and the restoration of safe passage through one of the world’s most important waterways.

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