Paul Ryan: I’m Not Going To ‘Pretend We’re Unified’ After ‘Grueling’ Primary

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After declining to endorse presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump last week, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said Wednesday the process of unifying the party after “one of the most grueling primaries in modern history” is just starting with his meeting this week with Trump.

“To pretend we’re unified as a party after coming through a very bruising primary, which just ended like a week ago, to pretend we’re unified without actually unifying, we go into the fall at half strength,” he told reporters.

The Wisconsin congressman continued: “That means we need a real unification of our party. Look, after a tough primary, that’s going to take some effort.”

Asked what Ryan needs to hear from Trump during their Thursday meeting to endorse the candidate, Ryan said he doesn’t even know the billionaire yet.

“These are conversations we’re going to have. I don’t really know him,” he said. “We just need to get to know each other.”

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