Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are “totally committed” to party unity in a statement following their meeting.
The two are trying to find common ground after Ryan said he could not endorse the presumptive Republican nominee. He has said the businessman lacked conservative principles, BBC reported.
“While we were honest about our few differences, we recognize that there are also many important areas of common ground,” the two wrote in a joint statement.
They said they would be having “additional discussions” but think they can unify the party and win the election.
At a press conference following the meeting, Ryan said he was “very encouraged” by what he heard from Trump. Trump arrived for the meeting at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington amid protesters brandishing placards.
Afterwards, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, who mediated the talks in his office, said it was a success.
In December 2015, Ryan harshly criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. He said it was “not what this party stands for and more importantly it’s not what this country stands for”. But on Wednesday, Trump appeared to soften, saying it was “just a suggestion”.
Ryan, who ran as 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s vice president, clashes with Trump on many issues, including religious freedom and trade. He has remained popular on Capitol Hill, after being urged to take over as speaker of the House of Representatives in the autumn.
Many who view him as a more electable figure than Trump have urged him—in vain—to run for president. But more Republicans are throwing their support behind Trump, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The New Yorker is one of the least politically experienced nominees in US history, having never held elected office. That outsider status has appealed to voters who feel let down by Washington.
A recent Gallup Poll shows that two in three Republican-leaning voters view Trump favorably.
