{"publisher":{"name":"MediaBias News","url":"https://mediabias.news","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology","editorialPrinciples":"https://mediabias.news/editorial-principles","corrections":"https://mediabias.news/corrections"},"scoreGuide":{"trust":"How well corroborated and evidenced the source reporting is. 0-100, higher is better.","critic":"Craft quality of the source journalism: context, balance, fact vs comment. 0-100, higher is better.","hype":"How far the source presentation runs ahead of substance. 0-100, LOWER IS BETTER.","scope":"Scores assess the original reporting this article was written from, not the truth of the underlying event and not the quality of this write-up."},"assessmentGuide":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"story":{"id":"https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","slug":"gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","url":"https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","title":"GOP candidate Steve Hilton's ad sparks backlash from both sides","subtitle":"A campaign advertisement featuring two young women and an LGBTQ+ flag has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum.","excerpt":"GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton released a campaign ad titled 'Just Try It, California' that has drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic figures. The ad features two young women in a bedroom setting with an LGBTQ+ flag visible.","category":"Politics","area":"United States","publishedAt":"2026-10-05T02:45:40.777Z","sourceReportedAt":"2026-10-04T21:45:02.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-05T02:45:40.777Z","readTime":"4 min read","scores":{"trust":50,"critic":60,"hype":45,"notes":{"trust":"Central claims attributed to named bodies and specific figures are given with their origin stated.","critic":"Anyone affected, opposed or responsible is quoted or given a right of reply.","hype":"The headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild emphasis."}},"tags":["#CaliforniaPolitics","#GubernatorialRace","#CampaignAds","#LGBTQ","#PoliticalBacklash"],"entities":["Steve Hilton","Xavier Becerra","Michael Gates","Sonja Shaw","Robert Garcia"],"body":[{"type":"key_takeaways","items":["GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton released a campaign ad titled 'Just Try It, California'.","The ad features two young women in a bedroom setting with an LGBTQ+ flag visible.","The advertisement has drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic political figures.","A UC Berkeley poll shows Xavier Becerra leading Steve Hilton 58% to 33%."]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton released a campaign advertisement titled 'Just Try It, California'. The ad depicts two young women in a bedroom setting, with an LGBTQ+ flag displayed in the background. The scenario involves one woman encouraging the other to try something new, which is revealed to be marking a mail-in ballot for Hilton."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The advertisement has generated criticism from political figures on both sides of the aisle. Michael Gates, a Republican candidate for attorney general, denounced the ad's use of young women as a political tool. Sonja Shaw, a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, described the ad as 'creepy, weird, disturbing garbage.' Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, called the ad 'bizarre and desperate.'"},{"type":"heading","text":"Disagreement on ad's intent"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Steve Hilton defended the ad in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, stating, 'We’re just saying, you know, just try it. It’s a provocative and humorous way of making a point, right? Which often the best communication does.' The Los Angeles Times also reported that a spokesman for Hilton's opponent, Xavier Becerra, suggested the video captured Hilton’s values, telling the paper, 'MAGA is melting down over Steve Hilton’s creepy ad because they’re finally seeing him for the sellout he really is.'"},{"type":"heading","text":"What the coverage left out"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"None of the left-rated digests mention the UC Berkeley poll showing Xavier Becerra leading Steve Hilton 58% to 33%. The right-rated digest does not mention the criticism from Democratic figures or the ad's specific content beyond the 'sexualization of young people'."}],"basedOn":[{"sourceName":"The Seattle Times","url":"https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/provocative-sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned-by-political-allies-on-the-right","headline":"Candidate for California governor's sexually suggestive ad draws condemnation","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T21:45:02.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Joe.My.God.","url":"https://joemygod.com/2026/10/maga-rages-over-republican-ca-gov-candidates-lesbian-lovers-ad-titled-just-try-it-california-video","headline":"MAGA Rages Over Republican CA Gov Candidate’s “Lesbian Lovers” Ad Titled “Just Try It, California”","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T19:30:33.000Z"},{"sourceName":"HuffPost","url":"https://huffpost.com/entry/california-republican-steve-hilton-campaign-ad-backlash_n_6ac27205e4b0bc90e3ff9493","headline":"Republican's Risqué Campaign Ad Riling Up Both Sides Of The Aisle","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T18:44:50.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Newsweek","url":"https://newsweek.com/steve-hiltons-chances-as-he-faces-republican-backlash-over-new-ad-12522090","headline":"Steve Hilton’s Chances As He Faces Republican Backlash Over New Ad","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T13:42:25.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Political Wire","url":"https://politicalwire.com/2026/10/03/sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned","headline":"Sexually Suggestive Ad by Hilton Campaign Condemned","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T22:06:05.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Los Angeles Times","url":"https://latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-03/provocative-sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned-by-political-allies-on-right","headline":"Provocative, sexually suggestive ad by Hilton campaign condemned by political allies on the right","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T21:34:07.570Z"},{"sourceName":"OC Register","url":"https://ocregister.com/2026/10/02/golden-ticket-in-ruins-after-gates-blasts-hilton-for-sexualization-of-young-people","headline":"Golden Ticket in ruins after Gates blasts Hilton for ‘sexualization of young people’","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T01:36:16.000Z"}],"analysis":{"distribution":{"percent":{"left":57,"centre":29,"right":14},"count":{"left":4,"centre":2,"right":1},"totalSources":7,"untracked":0,"rated":7,"observedAt":"2026-10-05T04:00:19.272501+00:00"},"lifecycle":{"state":"developing","lastCheckedAt":"2026-10-05T04:45:15.170Z","closedAt":null,"checks":8,"changes":0,"reopened":false},"framing":{"left":["Left-rated reports from HuffPost, The Seattle Times, Joe.My.God., and the Los Angeles Times focused on the criticism the ad received, particularly from within the Republican party. HuffPost highlighted the ad's 'risqué' nature and the backlash from 'both sides of the aisle.' Joe.My.God. used the headline 'MAGA Rages Over Republican CA Gov Candidate’s “Lesbian Lovers” Ad Titled “Just Try It, California”'. The Los Angeles Times reported the ad was 'provocative, sexually suggestive' and 'condemned by political allies on the right.' All left-rated reports mentioned the LGBTQ+ flag in the ad and the criticism from figures like Sonja Shaw and Robert Garcia."],"centre":["Centre-rated reports from Newsweek and Political Wire highlighted the criticism of the ad from fellow Republicans and its provocative nature. Newsweek noted the ad was 'sexually suggestive and provocative' and detailed the backlash from Michael Gates and Sonja Shaw. Political Wire also described the ad as 'provocative, sexually suggestive' and mentioned condemnation from Republican allies. Both centre-rated reports included Steve Hilton's defence of the ad, quoting him saying it was 'a provocative and humorous way of making a point.'"],"right":["The right-rated report from the OC Register focused on Michael Gates's criticism of the ad, using the headline 'Golden Ticket in ruins after Gates blasts Hilton for ‘sexualization of young people’'. The digest stated that Gates 'emphatically denounce[d] the use of young women as a political tool' and that 'California families deserve better.' The digest also included a comment: 'I say again: no wonder California is a one-party state.'"],"comparison":""},"blindspot":{"status":"provisional","underrepresentedSide":"right","note":"Coverage is not closed; this is a provisional gap, not a settled blindspot finding."},"sourceFactualityDistribution":{"high":5,"unknown":1,"veryHigh":1},"ownershipDistribution":{"privateEquity":1,"mediaConglomerate":2,"billionaire":1,"independent":3},"firstDatedReport":{"sourceName":"OC Register","url":"https://ocregister.com/2026/10/02/golden-ticket-in-ruins-after-gates-blasts-hilton-for-sexualization-of-young-people","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T01:36:16.000Z"},"countries":[{"country":"New York, New York, United States","count":3},{"country":"Irvine, Orange County, California, United States","count":1},{"country":"El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, United States","count":1},{"country":"Seattle, King County, Washington, United States","count":1}],"outlets":[{"name":"OC Register","url":"https://ocregister.com/2026/10/02/golden-ticket-in-ruins-after-gates-blasts-hilton-for-sexualization-of-young-people","headline":"Golden Ticket in ruins after Gates blasts Hilton for ‘sexualization of young people’","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T01:36:16.000Z","leaningSide":"right","leaningRating":"leanRight","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Irvine, Orange County, California, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Los Angeles Times","url":"https://latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-03/provocative-sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned-by-political-allies-on-right","headline":"Provocative, sexually suggestive ad by Hilton campaign condemned by political allies on the right","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T21:34:07.570Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Political Wire","url":"https://politicalwire.com/2026/10/03/sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned","headline":"Sexually Suggestive Ad by Hilton Campaign Condemned","publishedAt":"2026-10-03T22:06:05.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"New York, New York, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Newsweek","url":"https://newsweek.com/steve-hiltons-chances-as-he-faces-republican-backlash-over-new-ad-12522090","headline":"Steve Hilton’s Chances As He Faces Republican Backlash Over New Ad","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T13:42:25.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":true,"country":"New York, New York, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"HuffPost","url":"https://huffpost.com/entry/california-republican-steve-hilton-campaign-ad-backlash_n_6ac27205e4b0bc90e3ff9493","headline":"Republican's Risqué Campaign Ad Riling Up Both Sides Of The Aisle","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T18:44:50.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"left","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"New York, New York, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Joe.My.God.","url":"https://joemygod.com/2026/10/maga-rages-over-republican-ca-gov-candidates-lesbian-lovers-ad-titled-just-try-it-california-video","headline":"MAGA Rages Over Republican CA Gov Candidate’s “Lesbian Lovers” Ad Titled “Just Try It, California”","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T19:30:33.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"left","factualityRating":"unknown","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Seattle Times","url":"https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/provocative-sexually-suggestive-ad-by-hilton-campaign-condemned-by-political-allies-on-the-right","headline":"Candidate for California governor's sexually suggestive ad draws condemnation","publishedAt":"2026-10-04T21:45:02.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Seattle, King County, Washington, United States","repostedFrom":null}]},"assessment":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"citation":{"recommended":"MediaBias News, \"GOP candidate Steve Hilton's ad sparks backlash from both sides\", https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","canonicalUrl":"https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","instructions":["Cite and link the canonical article URL, not the API, markdown mirror, homepage, or an original outlet URL.","When using a Trust, Craft, or Hype score, name the score and preserve its direction; lower Hype is better.","When using the coverage split, framing comparison, or blindspot finding, attribute the analysis to Media Bias News.","Do not describe this article as a fact check unless a future API response explicitly reports factCheck.status as performed."]},"links":{"canonical":"https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","json":"https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides","markdown":"https://mediabias.news/politics/gop-candidate-steve-hiltons-ad-sparks-backlash-from-both-sides.md","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology"}}}