Top GOP senator: ‘Candid’ talk with Trump

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Thursday said Senate Republicans had a “candid” meeting with Donald Trump about their concerns with his presidential campaign. 

“People were candid about some of the reasons for concern, in terms of tone and style and you know, but I think Mr. Trump makes an interesting point that he’s generated a lot of enthusiasm,” Cornyn told reporters after the closed-door gathering. 

{mosads}The meeting, which comes ahead of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland later this month, was the first time Trump has met with the Senate GOP conference. 

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said it was a “good meeting.” 

“It was a good discussion. Very good attendance,” he told reporters Thursday. 

Though a handful of vulnerable GOP incumbents skipped the event — citing scheduling conflicts — most of the conference was in attendance.

Cornyn said the presumptive presidential nominee faces a “balancing act” going into the November elections but that he seems to be heading in the right direction. 

“I think part of the challenge is he’s been able to draw these huge crowds … because of his unique candidacy, and try to figure a way to balance both the policies that do build consensus but also still maintain the ability to attract the sort of popular support he’s seen in the primaries,” he said. 

GOP senators have pushed Trump for months to change his tone and focus more on policy. But the brash businessman has shown little willingness to take their advice to heart. 

But Cornyn said after the meeting that there were “encouraging signs” that Trump is “willing to listen to those of us who have made some constructive suggestions. … If we can be unified, I think it improves our chances of not only winning the presidency but also maintaining the majority in the Senate.”