A British immigrant backed by President Trump is running to be the next governor of California. Once a senior advisor to former prime minister David Cameron, Steve Hilton has since been on a journey – swapping Downing Street for Silicon Valley.
Having made his home in the US, Hilton is now running to become California’s Republican governor on a platform of cutting taxes and regulation.
We speak to Nicholas Watt, political editor of BBC Newsnight, who has known Hilton since his days advising Cameron.
Producers: Viv Jones and Aron Keller
Mix: Travis Evans
Video producer: Matt Pintus
Executive producer: James Shield
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton. Credit: Reuters /Mike Blake
Audio for this episode was updated on 9th June 2026 to clarify Steve Hilton's views on Brexit.