California gubernatorial candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton recently criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., over a $20 million state-funded diaper initiative that Hilton argues is inefficient and overly expensive. The program, which aims to provide diapers to low-income families in California, has sparked a heated debate about government spending and waste.
The $20 Million Diaper Initiative: What’s the Plan?
The initiative, announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, is part of the 2025-2026 State Budget and is designed to support low-income families by distributing 400 diapers per infant to 100,000 babies in California. The diapers are to be provided through nonprofit organizations and community partners, aiming to alleviate the financial burden of baby supplies for low-income families.
However, Steve Hilton claims that the program is not only inefficient but also unnecessarily expensive. He posted a video on social media comparing the cost of diapers under the state program to retail prices at Target, where he found that diapers were being sold for $0.16 per diaper, while the state program was paying $0.50 per diaper.
Hilton criticized the program, saying:
“Gavin Newsom is taking $20 million of your money to send 100,000 babies 400 diapers. That works out at $0.50 per diaper. We just came into Target to check out what you could buy it for in the store. $15.62 for the box. That works out at $0.16 per diaper.”
Newsom’s Office Pushes Back on Hilton’s Claims
In response to Hilton’s criticism, Newsom’s office strongly disputed the math presented by Hilton, calling it inaccurate. The state pointed out that $6.2 million of the $7.4 million allocated to the diaper program was granted to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization, and claimed the actual cost per diaper was closer to $0.15 rather than $0.50.
According to Newsom’s office:
- The $7.4 million was approved as part of the 2025-2026 state budget in partnership with the California Legislature.
- An additional $12.5 million has been proposed for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, but it still needs legislative approval.
The office also defended Baby2Baby, stating that the nonprofit had “strong experience” in distributing diapers, having already distributed over 300 million diapers to families in need across the country.
Hilton’s Critique: Political and Fiscal Concerns
Hilton didn’t stop at criticizing the program’s cost per diaper. He accused Gov. Newsom of using taxpayer funds to route money through “politically connected nonprofit groups”. Hilton suggested that the nonprofit organizations involved in distributing the diapers were linked to the Newsom administration, implying that political cronies were profiting from the program.
“The criminals here are the ones who are taking taxpayer money, laundering it to their connected cronies, and making a profit off it. This is not about helping families, it’s about political insiders benefiting,” Hilton argued.
Other Critics Weigh In: Republicans Challenge Newsom’s Spending Priorities
Hilton wasn’t the only critic of Newsom’s diaper initiative. Other Republicans also voiced their concerns, questioning the efficiency of the program in light of broader affordability issues in California.
Businessman and television personality Marcus Lemonis also joined the debate, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“Math always wins”, suggesting that the disparity between the state’s diaper costs and retail prices could not be overlooked.
Fox News contributor Joey Jones expressed frustration over California’s broader affordability problems, stating:
“If Democrats REALLY cared about this issue, make it easier to raise a family in California”, pointing out the high gas prices and “crazy surcharges” that residents face.
Jones also criticized Newsom for funding projects he saw as less urgent, like a $100 million land bridge project designed to help California cougars cross highways.
Melissa Bailey, a Republican congressional candidate, added her voice to the criticism, accusing Newsom of wasting taxpayer money on a “free diaper program” while benefiting politically connected insiders.
California’s Response: Defending the Initiative
Despite the pushback, Newsom’s office reiterated that the Golden State Start initiative was a well-planned, legislatively approved program aimed at supporting low-income families.
The office argued that Baby2Baby was selected through a competitive process and was the most capable organization to execute the initiative effectively.
While Newsom’s office acknowledged the costs of providing diapers through the program were slightly higher than retail, they emphasized that the initiative had been specifically designed to reach vulnerable families who may not have easy access to store-bought supplies.
The Debate Over Government Spending and Priorities
The controversy surrounding California’s diaper initiative highlights broader tensions between Republicans and Democrats over government spending, efficiency, and political influence.
Critics like Steve Hilton and others argue that taxpayer dollars are being misused and funneled into programs with questionable effectiveness, while proponents of the program emphasize its intent to help families in need.
As the debate continues, the issue of how government programs allocate funds for social services remains a hot-button topic, with both sides claiming to represent the best interests of California families.
