Xavier Becerra probably hates his new nickname, which is why Steve Hilton is hoping it sticks.
Hilton’s campaign turned a reported White House insult from 2024 into a campaign attack during Wednesday night’s CNN debate – as the Republican gubernatorial candidate created a website branding his Democratic opponent “Bitch–ass Becerra.”
Steve Hilton came ready to rumble Wednesday night, invoking a notorious Washington insult by reminding voters that Xavier Becerra had been called a “Bitch-ass” by a former Biden administration official — setting a fiery tone as Becerra found himself defending his record from the opening exchanges of California’s lone scheduled gubernatorial debate
Steve Hilton came ready to rumble Wednesday night, invoking a notorious Washington insult by reminding voters that Xavier Becerra had been called a “Bitch-ass” by a former Biden administration official — setting a fiery tone as Becerra found himself defending his record from the opening exchanges of California’s lone scheduled gubernatorial debate
The Republican challenger repeatedly put Becerra on the defensive over taxes, government red tape and his record as attorney general, while the Democratic front-runner countered with attacks on Hilton’s tax plan and ties to President Donald Trump.
“Thank you to CNN for bringing Xavier Becerra out of hiding,” Hilton said.
Former White House adviser Susan Rice dissed Becerra with the moniker during their time working in the Biden administration.
The new website attacks Becerra’s leadership as California attorney general and US health secretary, drawing heavily on reported criticism from Democrats who worked alongside him.
The California Post reported Tuesday that former Biden administration colleagues questioned Becerra’s fitness to be governor, with one alleging he disparaged migrant children as “little Juanitos and Juanitas.”
“I do not think he is qualified to be the governor,” Becerra’s ex-colleague told The Post.
“I don’t think he’s qualified to be the boss of anything.”
Becerra was alo described as having “dead-fish eyes” during an emotional meeting about migrant children in crowded detention facilities.
“No emotion. No response. Nothing there,” the official said.
Becerra’s campaign called the allegation about his remarks on migrant children “an outright fabrication,” and spokesperson Jonathan Underland dismissed former colleagues’ criticism as “jealousy.”
Hilton’s website depicts Becerra wearing a jacket plastered with corporate and union logos, including Chevron, Pacific Gas & Electric and the California Teachers Association.
“Chaos. Fraud. Child trafficking. Gender extremism. Higher costs for you,” the site says. “Empty Suit Becerra stood by and did nothing. He enabled it all.”
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In a previous interview, Hilton told The Post that Becerra lacked the mental acuity to serve as governor.
“California needs to wake up before it’s too late and we put the world’s fourth largest economy in the hands of a complete idiot,” Hilton said. “That’s not my word for him — that’s the word of people who worked side by side with him for years.”
Sections accuse him of weakening safeguards for migrant children, presiding over fraud and contributing to higher gas and electricity bills. One heading declares: “Even Democrats ripped Becerra.”
Among them is former Biden administration official Xochitl Hinojosa, whose criticism during a CNN appearance in May stunned other Democrats.
“I don’t think that he will be able to stand up to Trump and lead,” Hinojosa said.
“He was not effective in governing. He was not an effective HHS secretary. And if you ask any cabinet secretary, they would tell you the same thing.”
Axios reported in 2024 that Rice called Becerra “bitch-ass” and “idiot.”A spokesperson for Rice ‘categorically’ denied the reporting about her relationship with Becerra and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Post’s most recent report quoted an ex-Biden official saying Rice berated Becerra during meetings about the migrant crisis “at least once a week.”
Becerra also was getting burned on social media this week for an awkward interview with the San Francisco Standard’s comedy correspondent, Sophia Garrow, who asked him to name companies whose donations he would reject.
Becerra, who is seeking to follow in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lofty fundraising footsteps, left open the door to accept money from Purdue Pharma, which he had sued over its role in the opioid crisis, saying he believed in “redemption” for companies.
Garrow repeatedly used the name “David” when talking about San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, echoing an error on Becerra’s endorsement page. Becerra did not correct her.
“What’s your relationship like with David?” she asked.
“Growing,” Becerra replied, without correcting the name. “He’s done a number of important things, amazing things.”
Becerra held a substantial lead heading into the campaign’s only debate, with a recent PPIC poll having him at 60% to Hilton’s 38%.
But a few stumbles on the CNN debate stage and Hilton is betting the nickname will outlast tonight’s debate.
