The Kennedy campaign had been hinting at his exit for the last week and was slated to hold a press conference discussing his future on Friday. But minutes before the event began, he confirmed his endorsement of Trump in a filing submitted in Pennsylvania court, according to the Associated Press.

Much of Kennedy’s campaign had been characterized by a struggle to earn a spot on various state ballots, but the candidate, who left the Democratic primary to mount an independent run in October, also faced declining poll numbers and a dwindling campaign war chest.

Kennedy had spent months waging a combative campaign against Trump and, until he dropped out of the race, President Joe Biden. But he eventually warmed to outreach from the Trump campaign, including a leaked July call in which the former president vaguely told Kennedy he would love for him “do something.”

“I think it’ll be so good for you and so big for you. And we’re going to win,” Trump said on the call.

Later, Trump said he would be open to giving Kennedy, who has drawn controversy for his vaccine skepticism, a position in a future administration.

“I’d love that endorsement,” Trump told CNN when asked whether he had considered Kennedy for a role. “I like him. I respect him a lot. I probably would if something like that were to happen. He’s a very different kind of guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.”

Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said on Aug. 20 that the Kennedy campaign was debating whether to “join forces” with Trump or risk Vice President Kamala Harris taking office.

While Kennedy was expected to siphon support away from both Trump and Harris, the conventional wisdom was he would pull more heavily from Republican-leaning independents. Wall Street Journal polling found that among voters backing third-party or independent candidates, half would switch their vote to Trump while one-quarter would back Harris.

Kennedy’s endorsement eliminates the third-party threat to the GOP and could push momentum back in Trump’s favor as polls show a tight race against Harris. The Washington Examiner has contacted the Harris campaign seeking comment.

Kennedy previously sought out both the Harris and Trump campaigns in order to ask them if he could have a role in their administrations if he dropped out and endorsed them, but the Harris campaign rebuffed Kennedy.

The Kennedy campaign has faced financial struggles of late, left with just $3.9 million in the bank at the end of last month while owing nearly $3.5 million, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Kennedy had largely stopped campaigning in public since early July. His Friday event was held just 10 miles from where Trump is holding a rally in Glendale, Arizona. Organizers for the Trump rally have promised a “special guest” will appear.