While prospective Federal Reserve Board pick Stephen Moore was assuring reporters that he was “all in” and confident in the President’s support, Trump was huddling with National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow and confirming Moore’s instinct to drop out of the race.

“You may think I misled you,” Moore, who was aware of the conversation, told the Wall Street Journal. “But it is what it is.”

Trump reportedly already thought the complaints about Moore had “some justification” as Republican support waned.

The President tweeted out Moore’s withdrawal on Thursday, calling him a “great pro-growth economist and a truly fine person.” Moore followed up with a press release oozing with obsequious praise of Trump and bristling with fury at the “unrelenting attacks on my character.”

In a final dash of insult to the injury, CNN will not ask Moore back as a contributor.

Follow the rise and fall of Moore in a deep dive here.