Ted Cruz announced Friday he will vote for Donald Trump, a dramatic about-face that may help unite a deeply divided Republican Party months after the fiery Texas conservative called Trump a “utterly amoral.”

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump says he’s “greatly honored” to receive the endorsement of defeated rival Ted Cruz, not that Cruz is using that word when acknowledging that he will vote for the Republican presidential nominee.

Cruz and Trump had traded harsh words during the primary race and the tones of their statements Friday reflected their differences. Cruz sounded resigned at the prospect of voting for the man he had called a “pathological liar” and “utterly amoral” while Trump appeared to relish gaining the public support of the opponent he derided as “Lyin’ Ted.”

Nonetheless, Cruz’s statement signaled an effort to help unite a divided GOP less than seven weeks before Election Day. He also might be seeking to placate those he angered when he encouraged Republicans to “vote your conscience” instead of endorsing Trump outright at the national convention.

“After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump,” Cruz wrote on Facebook.

Trump described the statement as an “endorsement,” although he had claimed immediately after the convention that he didn’t want it.

“I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Sen. Cruz,” Trump said. “We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again.”

The Cruz statement comes as Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton remain locked in a tight race, both struggling to unite their parties as their first debate looms Monday.