A post by California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton on X has drawn widespread attention after he pushed back against Governor Gavin Newsom’s call for Californians to boycott Chevron, claiming the company is “ripping you off.” Hilton highlighted gas prices at a Chevron station in Los Angeles County and at one in Jackson County, Mississippi. According to the post, the higher prices in California stem from state policies rather than oil companies. The comparison has sparked strong online reactions over the causes of California’s elevated fuel costs.
In the video, Steve Hilton stands in front of a Chevron gas station in California. He speaks directly to the camera while gesturing toward the price board behind him, which shows regular gasoline at $6.39 per gallon. He notes the high price, then the video cuts to imagery of Jackson County, Mississippi, highlighting a Chevron price of $3.99 per gallon for the same fuel. Hilton returns on screen, emphasizing that it is the “same company” with different prices, and attributes the gap to Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies. The clip includes overlaid text, news headlines about refinery closures, and graphics contrasting the two prices. It ends with a call to “boycott Democrat policies” and a campaign message for Hilton as governor.
Hilton’s post includes the caption: “Gavin Newsom is telling Californians to boycott Chevron because they’re ‘ripping you off.’ Today: Chevron, L.A. County, CA: $6.39 / Chevron, Jackson County, MS: $3.99. It’s not the oil companies ripping us off in California; it’s Gavin Newsom and the Democrats. Vote for change!”
Online Reactions to the California Gas Price Comparison
Many users supported Hilton’s position and blamed state policies for the price difference. One commenter wrote, “Steve is 100% right. Newsom is a pathetic clown boycotting Chevron while HE destroyed our refineries,” citing five major refineries closed in five years, the upcoming Benicia shutdown, and increased reliance on foreign oil.
Another user agreed, stating, “California has the highest gas tax in the country. Newsom closed down two refineries since he’s been governor… California gets a lot of oil from South Korea and the Middle East.” A third focused on regulations, noting, “On top of 61 cents per gallon fuel tax – California forces refineries to make ‘Boutique Gasoline’ with clean additives… which is forcing all of our refineries to shut down.”
Some commenters directed particularly strong criticism at Governor Newsom and state leadership. One user wrote, “Gavin Newsom is the most reprehensible governor of California that I have ever witnessed…And, I am 69 years old!!! He is so incompetent and sloppy at his job that he should be locked up right now just to protect the people of California from his terrible and inept decision-making.”
Additional commenters highlighted compliance burdens, with one writing that “CA also passed a law to require double-lined underground tanks. A lot of San Francisco gas stations are closed permanently because they can’t afford it.”
The clip has become part of a broader online debate over the causes of California’s high fuel prices and the role of state policies. As the conversation continues, it adds to ongoing discussions ahead of future elections in the state.
