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Donald Trump endorses House Speaker Paul Ryan

FILE -In this June 14, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks s at the Republican National Committee headquarter on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ryan says the House will not vote this year on the sweeping Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by President Barack Obama. The Wisconsin Republican is a longtime proponent of free trade, but he says Obama made mistakes in negotiating the deal with 11 other countries and that there aren’t the votes for it. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE -In this June 14, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks s at the Republican National Committee headquarter on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ryan says the House will not vote this year on the sweeping Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by President Barack Obama. The Wisconsin Republican is a longtime proponent of free trade, but he says Obama made mistakes in negotiating the deal with 11 other countries and that there aren’t the votes for it. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE -In this June 14, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks s at the Republican National Committee headquarter on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ryan says the House will not vote this year on the sweeping Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by President Barack Obama. The Wisconsin Republican is a longtime proponent of free trade, but he says Obama made mistakes in negotiating the deal with 11 other countries and that there aren’t the votes for it. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

By Associated Press 5 min read

photo Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Merrill Auditorium, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOP’s most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaire’s presidential candidacy.

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump’s evening appearance in their state.

Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, “We have to unite” as he vowed to support Ryan in next week’s primary contest.

It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans.

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.