How Donald Trump's stance on RFK Jr shifted from 'radical left Democrat' to 'very smart'

Robert F Kennedy Jr has decided to suspend his presidential campaign and throw his support behind the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. However, the relationship between the two men has been far from amicable throughout their respective campaigns, with both exchanging insults and criticisms.
Initially, when Kennedy hinted at entering the 2024 race, Trump expressed confidence that Kennedy would siphon votes away from President Joe Biden, characterizing him as a far-left liberal."Kennedy is a Radical Left Democrat, and always will be!!! It's great for MAGA, but the Communists will make it very hard for him to get on the Ballot," Trump had said, as quoted by ABC News.
In response, Kennedy took to X in April to criticize the former president, describing Trump's rant against him as "a barely coherent barrage of wild and inaccurate claims" and challenging him to a debate. During a rally in Texas in May, Kennedy suggested that voting for either Trump or Biden would yield "the same thing," while voting for him would lead to "something altogether different. You're going to get healing."
As Kennedy intensified his public attacks on Trump and secured a place on ballots, Trump's stance shifted, urging his supporters not to "waste" their votes on Kennedy. Trump posted on his social media platform in late May, "Don't waste any Republican or Conservative votes on Junior.' He's one of the most Liberal Lunatics ever to run for office."
Trump's recent comments about Kennedy have been more conciliatory, with the former president expressing his respect for Kennedy in a CNN interview on Tuesday. Trump even suggested that Kennedy would likely have a role in his administration if elected. At a campaign event in Arizona on Thursday, Trump praised Kennedy as "very smart" and said it would be a "great honor" to receive his endorsement.
However, Trump clarified that an endorsement does not necessarily guarantee Kennedy a position in his administration. "No, it doesn't mean administration, but certainly having his endorsement, because things that he agrees on, I also agree on," he said on NBC News.