The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show — Hour 3

Episode Title: Steve Hilton Calls for Regime Change in CA
Date: April 13, 2026
Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton | Guest: Steve Hilton (GOP Candidate for CA Governor)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This hour focuses on the intensifying California gubernatorial race, featuring Republican candidate Steve Hilton. Hilton discusses the recent scandal ending Erik Swalwell’s campaign, speculates on infighting among California Democrats, outlines his own campaign strategy, and calls for "regime change" in California. The episode also touches on issues like Iranian-American politics in California, the state’s wildfire recovery, the impact of policy decisions, and broader political frustrations. The hosts and callers discuss national security, Iran, and the enduring significance of political scandals.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Swalwell Scandal and Its Fallout

[00:00–07:30]

• Scandal Overview & Fallout

  • Buck introduces Steve Hilton as a regular guest and current front-running Republican candidate for Governor of California.
  • The hour opens addressing Erik Swalwell's sudden political downfall amid scandal, though described as “an open secret” for years.
    • Steve Hilton (00:52):
      “It just shows you how corrupt, cynical and arrogant these people are … The machine was moving behind Swalwell. Actually, everyone expected him to get the machine's endorsement even with all this going on. Finally it came out. I didn't expect it, but it's very good news because it clarifies the situation somewhat. And the thing that it really shows is that we are so desperately in need of change in California.”
  • Clay and Buck probe the timing, with Clay asking if intra-party sabotage (specifically by Tom Steyer or Katie Porter) is to blame.
    • Clay Travis (02:26):
      “Do you think this was Katie Porter? Do you think it was Tom Steyer? Where did this come from?”
    • Hilton speculates: “What I'm hearing ... is Tom Steyer. ... He's this billionaire climate fanatic ... already spent over $100 million on his race ... It’s kind of working for him in a pathetic sort of way, you could say ... Katie Porter blames Tom Steyer for the leaking of all those videos of her berating her staff ... She thinks there's more of that to come. ... I'm just reporting what I hear.” [02:57]
  • Buck notes the Democrat establishment and media apparatus keeping Swalwell’s issues under wraps until now, and asks how the field is reordered with Swalwell out.
    • Buck Sexton (03:56):
      "There's been a lot of smoke before this fire came out ... what does this do—explain now the rest of the field. ... How do you think this shifts the race?"

• Reordering the Race

  • Hilton explains California’s “top two” jungle primary, how he’s led recent polls, and the significance of Trump’s endorsement.
  • Steve Hilton (05:02):
    “For most of this year, I've been leading not by much, but two, three points ahead. That lead has been growing ... two polls last week: one had me 19%, everyone else 13 and below. Another one, ironically, from Eric Swalwell's backers, had me at 22%, Swalwell at 18, everyone else 12, 13% ... those polls were taken before the big news ... that President Trump had endorsed me in the governor's race. That's a huge moment.”
  • Hilton predicts the top three will be himself, Tom Steyer, and Katie Porter. Emphasizes importance of Republicans uniting behind a single candidate to avoid vote-splitting.

2. Campaign Dynamics: California’s Iranian-American Community & “Regime Change” Rhetoric

[07:30–09:42]

• California’s Iranian-American Voters
  • Clay highlights LA’s massive Iranian diaspora; Hilton characterizes them as politically mobilized and “100% pretty much lined up behind President Trump.”
  • Steve Hilton (08:05):
    “It's a hugely energizing factor. ... I was at a major Iranian event for Nowruz in the Bay Area. ... I made the point that ... we are certainly fighting for regime change here in California, making that connection, and it's really powerful.”

3. What Hilton Needs to Win—Voter Turnout and Ballot Initiatives

[09:05–11:45]

• Path to Victory
  • Buck asks about the “dominoes” required for Hilton to win.
  • Steve Hilton (09:42):
    “Top of that list is a really strong Republican turnout ... the total number of votes as an estimate is 11.7 million. ... Trump in California in 2024 got 6.1 million votes. ... In other words, there are enough Republican votes in California for me to win just with Republican votes if they all turn out.”
  • Hilton credits two ballot measures as GOP turnout drivers: Save Prop 13 (protect property taxes) and Voter ID. He also positions his core message and policies (“Califordable”: $3 gas, lower electric bills, “your first hundred grand tax free,” no free healthcare for illegal immigrants, affordable housing) as transcending party lines.

4. Anticipating More Democratic Infighting and Negative Campaigning

[11:45–13:06]

• Expecting Further Scandals
  • Clay asks if more “funny business” is coming, especially targeting Katie Porter after the drama with Swalwell.
  • Steve Hilton (12:12):
    “There's a lot of expectation that Katie Porter is next because ... Tom Steyer has been behind this and that there's plenty more to come out on Katie Porter. ... My argument is it honestly doesn't matter who they send because we're sick of these people, this corrupt Democrat machine. On the policy front, it's a total disaster. ... None of them offer any kind of change from what we've had.”

5. California’s Wildfire Rebuilding & Housing Politics

[13:06–16:19]

• Wildfire Recovery and Government Failure
  • Buck asks about the Palisades fire recovery and permitting delays.
  • Steve Hilton (13:50):
    “Nothing. ... It's just unbelievable. ... They're absolutely using it to push the ideological agenda of replacing a beautiful single-family neighborhood with ... low income apartment buildings. ... There is this sense that these people are just ideologues ... No, they're constantly pushing this ideological agenda. ... I really feel it more and more every week that people are sick of what's been happening. ... One thing I haven't even mentioned, which is the fraud. The fraud story is huge in California ... I feel like we're heading for another taxpayer revolt in California. ... People are really fired up and enraged by that. That's going to be a big factor as well.”

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s the kind of arrogance you get from 16 years of one party rule in California. Honestly, all they care about is their power.”
  — Steve Hilton [00:52]
• “What everybody is saying ... is that it’s Tom Steyer ... billionaire climate fanatic ... already spent over $100 million.”
  — Steve Hilton [02:57]
• “There are enough Republican votes in California for me to win just with Republican votes if they all turn out.”
  — Steve Hilton [09:42]
• “We are certainly fighting for regime change here in California, making that connection, and it’s really powerful.”
  — Steve Hilton [08:05]
• “It honestly doesn’t matter who they send because we’re sick of these people, this corrupt Democrat machine.”
  — Steve Hilton [12:12]
• “What’s really outrageous is ... they are using it to push the ideological agenda of replacing a beautiful single family neighborhood with ... low income apartment buildings.”
  — Steve Hilton [13:50]
• “I feel like we’re heading for another taxpayer revolt in California.”
  — Steve Hilton [15:43]

7. Political Climate, Voter Sentiment, and Policy Frustration

[16:19–28:36+]

• Clay and Buck encourage Republican turnout, campaign for Hilton.
• The show shifts into calls and national security discussion: Iran’s regime, U.S. foreign policy analogies (Cuban Missile Crisis/Kennedy), Iran nuclear programs, and the personality dynamics of foreign leaders. (Callers: Tom in Tampa [19:36], Pete in Oklahoma [31:57], Joe in North Florida [32:57], Mike in Salt Lake City [33:48])
• Host and callers reflect on how U.S. political “machinery”—including negative campaigning, scandal, and media coordination—mimic larger strategic battles.

Summary Table of Major Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Points / Quotes | |------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–02:26 | Swalwell Scandal | “Arrogance … 16 years of one party rule” — Hilton | | 02:57–03:56 | Intra-Democrat Sabotage | “Tom Steyer … $100 million” — Hilton | | 05:02–07:30 | Race Reordering & Trump's Endorsement | “Top two system … We don't split the vote” — Hilton | | 08:05–09:05 | Iranian-American Politics | “Regime change … in California” — Hilton | | 09:42–11:45 | Hilton’s “Dominoes” to Win | “Republican turnout ... ballot initiatives” — Hilton | | 12:12–13:06 | More Scandals Expected | “Tom Steyer has been behind this ... plenty more to come out on Katie Porter” — Hilton | | 13:50–16:19 | Wildfire Rebuilding / Housing | “Pushing ... low income apartment buildings ... heading for another taxpayer revolt” —Hilton | | 16:19–End | Callers, Foreign Policy, National News | Iran comparisons, political analogies, caller insights |

Conclusion

This episode puts Steve Hilton—and by proxy, the Republican challenge to California’s entrenched Democratic rule—front and center. The hosts and Hilton frame the Swalwell scandal as emblematic of systemic Democratic cynicism and corruption, with arguments for both unity among Republicans and a broader "taxpayer revolt" on issues from property taxes to utility bills. Hilton’s rhetoric of "regime change" is reinforced by a focus on concrete policy, ethnic voter mobilization, and popular frustration with Democratic governance. The show ends with lively audience participation, tying local California political drama to larger national and international issues (Iran, voter trust, security).

Best Quote:
“We are certainly fighting for regime change here in California, making that connection, and it’s really powerful.” — Steve Hilton [08:05]

For listeners who missed the show:
This hour provides a detailed breakdown of how intra-party fights, scandals, and machine politics are shaping California’s elections, why Republican mobilization might finally matter in a blue state, and how issues like cost of living, wildfire recovery, and property tax protection are at the heart of Steve Hilton’s insurgent campaign.