{"id":8090015,"date":"2026-10-02T17:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T00:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/?p=8090015"},"modified":"2026-10-02T17:21:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T00:21:20","slug":"steve-hilton-viral-lesbian-political-ad-just-try-it-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/media-platforms\/politics\/steve-hilton-viral-lesbian-political-ad-just-try-it-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Hilton Goes Viral For Lesbian Political Ad, and It&#8217;s Apparently Not AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for California governor, turned heads Friday with his lesbian, fanfic-style campaign ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ad, titled &#8220;Just try it, California,&#8221; stars two young women, one which seems nervous to try something for the first time. The other woman then tucks her hair behind her ear and tells the other it&#8217;s &#8220;not that bad.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve never done anything like this before. What if my dad finds out?&#8221; the other woman with blue hair and a septum nose piercing replies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJust try it. Look, give me your hand,\u201d the other says, adding, \u201cClose your eyes, and I\u2019ll do all the work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The young woman with the pink hair guides her hand out of frame before revealing a ballot. She helps the her friend fill in a bubble for Steve Hilton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Just try it, California. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6uqT6m8oV4\">pic.twitter.com\/6uqT6m8oV4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveHiltonx\/status\/2105770019921809537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 1, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Republican candidate was seemingly taking a page out of former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt&#8217;s rulebook, who went viral with his AI ads earlier this year. (Hilton\u00a0is currently 22 points down in the RealClearPolitics\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/governor\/general\/2026\/california\/hilton-vs-becerra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average of polls<\/a>\u00a0and is not seen as competitive in his race against Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ad, however, was not AI. Hilton claimed it was &#8220;produced by a great and talented director.&#8221; He did not state the director&#8217;s name, but pointed a user in his Twitter <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CleanComedian69\/status\/2105801569640013857\">replies<\/a> to his Bring Hollywood Home plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ad quickly attracted attention across the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pratt replied, calling the ad &#8220;brilliant.&#8221; Fox News anchor John Roberts said that the ad &#8220;boldly go[es] where no political ad has gone before.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other users online were not as big fans with one person <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mike_from_PA\/status\/2106060963363635635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2106060963363635635%7Ctwgr%5E22cc2ec520c2344ddf6c8abfab8a0b3fb9890a16%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fomfg-california-gop-gov-candidate-stuns-with-lesbian-fanfic-ad%2F\">calling<\/a> it &#8220;one of the creepiest ads ever made.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Awful political ad. But an absolutely incredible ad for literally anything else. You should go into marketing,&#8221; another user <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/electionsjoe\/status\/2105844661172498749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2105844661172498749%7Ctwgr%5E22cc2ec520c2344ddf6c8abfab8a0b3fb9890a16%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fomfg-california-gop-gov-candidate-stuns-with-lesbian-fanfic-ad%2F\">commented<\/a> on X. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep reading for more reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">To boldly go where no political ad has gone before&#8230;. \ud83d\ude31 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wPECi4PGsK\">https:\/\/t.co\/wPECi4PGsK<\/a><\/p>&mdash; John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/johnrobertsFox\/status\/2106003806194741589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Awful political ad. But an absolutely incredible ad for literally anything else. You should go into marketing. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/llv56k6R8N\">https:\/\/t.co\/llv56k6R8N<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Joe (@electionsjoe) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/electionsjoe\/status\/2105844661172498749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is in the running for one of the creepiest ads ever made. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eDW6N7VUKX\">https:\/\/t.co\/eDW6N7VUKX<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Mike from PA (@Mike_from_PA) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mike_from_PA\/status\/2106060963363635635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This add belongs on Tik Tok, it&#39;s not meant for conservatives.<\/p>&mdash; KatieJ51357 (@KatieJ51357) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KatieJ51357\/status\/2106167867347780009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OMG, this is incredible.<br \/><br \/>Well played, sir.<br \/><br \/>Clever. <br \/><br \/>Prfectly executed.<\/p>&mdash; Calvin Correli (@calvincorreli) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/calvincorreli\/status\/2105809764718653657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 1, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-the-wrap-read-more\">\n\t<div class=\"the-wrap-read-more__container\">\n\t\t<a class=\"the-wrap-read-more__image\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/media-platforms\/politics\/steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-california-governor-debate-cnn\/\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=300&amp;height=169&amp;fit=bounds\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=300&amp;height=169&amp;fit=bounds 300w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=768&amp;height=432&amp;fit=bounds 768w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=576&amp;fit=bounds 1024w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=320&amp;height=180&amp;fit=bounds 320w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=640&amp;height=360&amp;fit=bounds 640w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=380&amp;height=214&amp;fit=bounds 380w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=760&amp;height=428&amp;fit=bounds 760w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=394&amp;height=222&amp;fit=bounds 394w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=788&amp;height=444&amp;fit=bounds 788w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=778&amp;height=438&amp;fit=bounds 778w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=976&amp;height=549&amp;fit=bounds 976w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=990&amp;height=557&amp;fit=bounds 990w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg?width=1200&amp;height=675&amp;fit=bounds 1200w, https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HiltonBecerra.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-portal-copyright=\"TheWrap\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"the-wrap-read-more__headline\">\n\t\t\t<strong>Read Next<\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/media-platforms\/politics\/steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-california-governor-debate-cnn\/\">Steve Hilton Blames Democrats for Hollywood Exodus in CA Governor Debate<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Republican candidate for California governor&#8217;s \u201cJust try it\u201d ad sparks responses from Spencer Pratt, John Roberts and more<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10221,"featured_media":8090024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"byline":{"profiles":[{"type":"byline_id","atts":{"term_id":508584,"post_id":7561522}}]},"_links_to":"","_links_to_type":0,"nb_breaking_email_type":"","nb_breaking_template":"","nb_breaking_from_name":"","nb_breaking_subject":"","nb_breaking_preview":"","nb_breaking_list":[],"nb_breaking_header_img":0,"nb_breaking_should_send":false,"nb_breaking_content":"","nb_newsletter_sent_breaking_post_id":[],"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-10-03T00:21:19Z","apple_news_api_id":"aff9889e-fc7f-48f9-8e6e-7f75fe522e90","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-10-03T00:21:19Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Ar_mInvx_SPmObn91_lIukA","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"hide_featured_image":false,"the_wrap_post_enable_full_width_featured_image":false,"the_wrap_post_enable_featured_video":false,"the_wrap_post_featured_video":"","the_wrap_post_disable_read_more":false,"wp_curate_deduplication":false,"wp_curate_unique_pinned_posts":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33376,426],"tags":[2262,390589],"tw_data_partners":[],"columns":[],"byline":[508584],"class_list":["post-8090015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-politics","tag-california","tag-steve-hilton"],"newsletter_builder_byline":"Tess 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