Political expert on Trump's meeting with Ryan: "Might be the last time he goes to them"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan concluded their highly anticipated meeting Thursday, May 12th amid signals that the Republican Party will work to piece itself together after a fractious primary.

Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

"While we were honest about our few differences, we recognize that there are also many important areas of common ground," Trump and Ryan said in a joint statement. "We will be having additional discussions, but remain confident there's a great opportunity to unify our party and win this fall, and we are totally committed to working together to achieve that goal."

Ryan, speaking with reporters during his weekly press briefing, sought to portray his openness to Trump, despite withholding his endorsement.

"This is our first meeting, I was very encouraged with this meeting, but this is a process. It takes some time. You don't put it together in 45 minutes," he said.

With the cameras rolling and the world watching, Ryan struck a diplomatic tone when speaking about the meeting, but some predict that behind closed doors, there was actually a battle raging for the Republican Party's soul.

House Speaker Paul Ryan

"Today in Washington, they're fighting about what does it mean to be a Republican and who gets to say what it means to be a Republican?" Mordecai Lee, UW-Milwaukee professor said.

Trump met with Ryan and other Republicans during his visit to Washington. The focus of the trip was bridging the gap between the outspoken, anti-establishment Trump and the party's more traditional members.

"That we truly and actually unify -- so that we are full strength in the fall. I don't want us to have a fake unification process here," Ryan said.

Donald Trump

Lee predicts Trump won't be making any trips to see the party's establishment.

"What happened (Thursday) -- Donald Trump going to Washington, might be the last time that he goes to them. In other words, it's almost like he's going hat in hand. I think from now on, he's going to have his headquarters in New York City and if anybody wants to talk to him they're welcome to take the shuttle and come to New York City," Lee said.

While Ryan spoke positively about his meeting with Trump, he didn't go so far as to endorse him for president just yet.