Donald J. Trump and Speaker Paul D. Ryan spoke by phone on Wednesday night, hours after reports circulated that Mr. Ryan, the highest-ranking elected Republican, was on the verge of endorsing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

But the call was set up days ago, according to one person briefed on it who was not authorized to speak publicly. And aides to Mr. Ryan made clear that he would not offer an endorsement in the call.

Any such anticipation is “absolutely untrue,” said Zack Roday, a spokesman for Mr. Ryan’s political operations. “The purpose of the call tonight is for the two of them to continue their conversation about unifying the party. We never gave any indication that the call was about an endorsement.”

A spokeswoman for Mr. Trump did not respond to an email seeking comment. News of the call was first reported by Bloomberg Politics. Earlier Wednesday, Bloomberg Politics and ABC News, citing sources close to the Trump campaign, said that Mr. Ryan was going to endorse Mr. Trump.