Former presidential candidate Ben Carson will endorse Donald Trump on Friday.
The Washington Post reports that the retired neurosurgeon finalized his decision Thursday during a meeting with Trump in Florida, and that he will announce his endorsement Friday at a news conference in Palm Beach.
On FoxNews radio Thursday, Carson hinted at his choice. “There’s two Donald Trumps,” he said. “There’s the Donald Trump that you see on television and who gets out in front of big audiences, and there’s the Donald Trump behind the scenes. They’re not the same person. One’s very much and entertainer, and one is actually a thinking individual.”
Carson ended his own presidential bid last week, saying he saw no “political path forward” in the race. He has accepted a position at My Faith Votes, an organization focused on getting Christian voters to the polls.
He said at the time that he did not plan to endorse a candidate. “I’ve committed, Greta, to not endorsing a specific person, but rather endorsing ‘We the People,’ and looking at our ability as intelligent human beings to use the correct criteria to make an informed choice,” he told Fox News‘ Greta Van Susetren last week.
Carson will become the second former presidential candidate this cycle to endorse the frontrunner, after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
See Some of the Most Interesting 2016 Endorsements
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed business Donald Trump for president on Feb. 26. Here, the candidates greeted each other during a commercial break in a Feb. 6 Republican presidential debate.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesFormer Florida Gov. Jeb Bush endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president. They are seen here shaking hands on Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C.Spencer Platt—Getty ImagesRapper Killer Mike, left, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, (I-VT). Joshua Lott—Getty ImagesFormer Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Jan. 19, 2016.Aaron P. Bernstein—Getty ImagesFormer Florida Gov. Jeb Bush shakes hands with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham during a news conference in which Graham endorsed Bush for president in North Charleston, S.C. on Jan. 15, 2016. Andrew Harrer—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesScreenwriter and actress Lena Dunham supports Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Here she speaks at a Hillary Clinton campaign office on Jan. 8, 2016 in Manchester, N.H.Scott Eisen—Getty ImagesRepublican Presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has the support of actor Chuck Norris, right.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesThis still image made from video provided by the Cruz campaign via YouTube shows presidential candidate Ted Cruz. In the video, Cruz is endorsed by "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson. Cruz campaign/YouTube/APKim Kardashian and Kanye West have publicly supported Hillary Clinton.Michel Dufour—WireImageEntertainer Tony Orlando performed during Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's announcement of his candidacy for the 2016 presidential race.Matt Sullivan—Getty ImagesPhilosopher and academic Cornel West, right, endorses Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).Melina Mara—The Washington Post/Getty ImagesFighter Vitor Belfort, seen during a workout, has endorsed neurosurgeon Ben Carson.Chris Trotman—Getty ImagesSinger Katy Perry performed during a rally for Hillary Clinton, who she publicly supports.Daniel Acker—Bloomberg/Getty Images
