What the hell is Gavin Newsom thinking?

Here is my disclaimer. I am a mainstream classical liberal centrist Democrat in California and I have NEVER liked Gavin Newsom. My approval rating went up a tad when he was the first to legalize gay marriage and during Covid as he had an aggressive response, but it was still always unfavorable.

But in the last couple of weeks Newsom has set himself on fire by aligning with far right pundits Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. What the hell is he thinking, and how does he feel this will help him? Or is he finally showing his true colors?

For the record, my two favorite governors have been Jerry Brown (the second time around) and Arnold (first term).