Friday evening, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s staff announced that he will meet with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday.
The report came just hours after it was reported that Trump’s campaign had reached out to Ryan’s staff following his big win Tuesday in Indiana. The next morning, Ryan told CNN’s Jake Tapper he could not yet support the businessman as the GOP nominee.
There has been a distinct split within the party over Trump’s likely nomination, as some within both the conservative and establishment wings of the GOP have refused to endorse his candidacy. Meanwhile, the #NeverTrump faction continues to look for a viable third-party option.
That, apparently, was a bridge too far for Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who reportedly demanded Trump and Ryan meet to air out their differences. He will be at the meeting Thursday, as will a contingent of Republican congressional leaders.
Ryan’s office painted a slightly different version in an official statement Friday evening:
“Having both said we need to unify the party, Speaker Ryan has invited Donald Trump to meet with members of the House Republican leadership in Washington on Thursday morning to begin a discussion about the kind of Republican principles and ideas that can win the support of the American people this November. The Speaker and Mr. Trump will also meet separately, along with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.”
Ryan is beginning to feel the pressure back home, as well. Facing an unprecedented primary challenge in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District, Trump ally former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP’s 2008 vice presidential candidate, is throwing her PAC’s support behind the speaker’s challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen.
Although he has not endorsed Trump, Nehlen said he would support his candidacy if he wins the Republican nomination in the First District.
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