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US election: Trump and Ryan 'totally committed' to party unity US election: Trump and Ryan 'totally committed' to party unity
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are "totally committed" to party unity in a statement following their meeting.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 Mr Ryan said he could not endorse the presumptive Republican nominee.The two are trying to find common ground after Mr Ryan said he could not endorse the presumptive Republican nominee.
He has said the businessman lacked conservative principles.He has said the businessman lacked conservative principles.
"We had a great conversation this morning," the two wrote in a joint statement."We had a great conversation this morning," the two wrote in a joint statement.
"While we were honest about our few differences, we recognise that there are also many important areas of common ground.""While we were honest about our few differences, we recognise that there are also many important areas of common ground."
They said they would be having "additional discussions" but think they can unify the party and win the election.They said they would be having "additional discussions" but think they can unify the party and win the election.
Despite misgivings about Mr Trump, Republicans are calling for party unity to defeat likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in November. At a press conference following the meeting, Mr Ryan said he was "very encouraged" by what he heard from Mr Trump.
Trump v Paul Ryan - the split explainedTrump v Paul Ryan - the split explained
How Trump captures the White HouseHow Trump captures the White House
Trump softens stance on Muslim banTrump softens stance on Muslim ban
Mr Trump arrived for the meeting at the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington amid protesters brandishing placards.Mr Trump arrived for the meeting at the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington amid protesters brandishing placards.
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
Paul Ryan sounds like a man trying to make peace with his shotgun marriage. Sure, the circumstances are unfortunate, but maybe life together won't be that bad.
The House speaker, who once condemned Trump's proposed Muslim ban as "not conservatism", now says there are "core principles" of conservatism that tie them together. They both love the Constitution, it seems, and they're all about the separation of powers between the branches of government.
Beyond that? Who knows. Mr Ryan declined to go into details during his Thursday press conference, instead talking about the processes being started, seeds being planted and differences being bridged.
It was not the endorsement, full-throated or otherwise, that Mr Trump desires, but it was a first step toward the reconciliation of a party that desperately wants to win back the White House in November.
If Mr Ryan eventually makes peace with what he called a "whole new wing" of the Republican Party that Mr Trump represents, this desire for power - for a prize that has been denied Republicans for two straight presidential elections - will be the driving force behind it.
Afterwards, RNC chairman Reince Priebus, who mediated the talks in his office, said it was a success.Afterwards, RNC chairman Reince Priebus, who mediated the talks in his office, said it was a success.
Mr Ryan had only met Mr Trump once previously and said that the two need to get to know each other.
"We come from different wings of the party. The goal here is to unify the various wings of the party around common principles, so that we can go forward to unify it."
In December 2015, Mr Ryan harshly criticised Mr Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US.In December 2015, Mr Ryan harshly criticised Mr Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US.
He recently walked back that comment, calling it "just a suggestion".
He said it was "not what this party stands for and more importantly it's not what this country stands for".He said it was "not what this party stands for and more importantly it's not what this country stands for".
Mr Trump told Fox News that he would be fine without Mr Ryan's approval. But on Thursday, Mr Trump appeared to soften, saying it was "just a suggestion".
"If we make a deal, that will be great. And if we don't, we will trudge forward like I've been doing and winning all the time."
Mr Ryan, who ran as 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's vice president, clashes with Mr Trump on many issues, including religious freedom and trade.Mr Ryan, who ran as 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's vice president, clashes with Mr 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.He has remained popular on Capitol Hill, after being urged to take over as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the autumn.
Many urged him to run for president, but he has frequently denied that he would.Many urged him to run for president, but he has frequently denied that he would.
More and more Republicans are throwing their support behind Mr Trump, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.More and more Republicans are throwing their support behind Mr Trump, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Mr Trump's rise to the top of the Republican party, of which he has not been a member historically, has been unprecedented.Mr Trump's rise to the top of the Republican party, of which he has not been a member historically, has been unprecedented.
A recent Gallup Poll shows that two in three Republican-leaning voters view Mr Trump favourably.A recent Gallup Poll shows that two in three Republican-leaning voters view Mr Trump favourably.
But protests have plagued appearances by Mr Trump, with particular focus on his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants.But protests have plagued appearances by Mr Trump, with particular focus on his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Top Republicans divided over TrumpTop Republicans divided over Trump
Supporting:Supporting:
Not supporting:Not supporting:
Yet to comment:Yet to comment: