Why would Cruz feel so threatened by Carson that he would have to try to convince voters in the middle of a caucus that someone was dropping out, and why would Cruz take the extra step of claiming that Carson was indeed "suspending" his campaign, even though even in the same CNN report, it was explicitly denied that he was suspending his campaign? Cruz even made up a lie that Carson was going to make a "big announcement." Where did that even come from? It wasn't in the CNN report or anywhere else; Cruz made it up to add to the lie.
Cruz didn’t feel threatened by Carson. He was threatened by the polls and the entrance polls in particular. All the talking heads were saying it was a Trump win, there was no doubt.
Cruz also had internals showing Carson was going to outperform in Iowa. Thus when this chance came up to grab those votes he went for it.
It’s not complicated.
Cruz was so desperate for votes, he tossed his evangelical bona fides in the trash bin where he and his creepy team remain today.