Dave Boucher, and Joel Ebert

The Tennessean

Gov. Bill Haslam and other Republican governors met with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York City on Tuesday.

"Gov. Haslam joined several other governors in New York [Tuesday] to meet with Mr. Trump and discuss state and federal issues," said Jennifer Donnals, a spokeswoman for Haslam.

She didn't provide any other details about the meeting.

Haslam and six other governors are set to meet with the outspoken tycoon, according to several media reports. Haslam hasn't officially endorsed Trump, instead repeatedly saying in recent weeks he'd like to meet with the likely nominee.

"As governor I interact with the federal government all the time and there’s issues that really matter and there are things that I know that I didn’t know before I came into this office (in which) the perspective of the federal government matters," Haslam told reporters after a Memorial Day ceremony.

"Obviously everybody looks at things like legislation and who you appoint to the Supreme Court and things like that — but who you put into (federal) departments and the philosophy of those departments really matters as well."

Haslam has been critical of Trump at times; in early June the Knoxville Republican called recent attacks by Trump on GOP governors "not helpful." At the time, Haslam said he and other governors were still working on trying to meet with Trump.

Haslam also said Trump's comments about federal judge Gonzalo Curiel, which many have said are racist remarks, were "indefensible."

Other governors reported to be at the meeting include Gov. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., Gov. Phil Bryant, R-Miss., Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J.; Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark. and Gov. Doug Ducey, R-Ariz.

Although Gov. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. was invited to the meeting, he was unable to attend due to ongoing state matters, a spokesman for the governor said.

“He is not set to go to that meeting. He’s in Nebraska for the day. He’s focused on matters within his own state, specifically an escaped convict who is still on the loose,” said Taylor Gage, public relations director for Ricketts.

The group of governors have had a mixture of reactions to Trump. Bryant has endorsed Trump and Christie has frequently traveled with him since he dropped out of the race in February. Ricketts has also offered support of the real estate mogul, even appearing at a rally with him. Fallin is considered a possible vice presidential candidate for Trump.

Ducey has vowed to support the Republican nominee for president.

According to The Arizona Republic, Ducey was invited to the New York meeting by Haslam.

Haslam has not been the only governor in the group who has been critical of Trump in the past. In February — ahead of his state's March 1 primary - Hutchinson said Trump's "words are frightening." In a separate statement, Hutcinson said, "It is up to Arkansas to stop the Donald Trump show."

Like Haslam, Hutchinson endorsed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida before the March primary.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tennessee GOP senators don't seem happy with Trump today

While Haslam and other governors meet with Trump, Tennessee's Republicans in the U.S. Senate made critical comments in recent days.

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker has been considered atop Trump’s vice presidential shortlist, but the Chattanooga Republican blasted Trump on Tuesday. He said he didn’t think Trump gave the kind of comments on the Orlando massacre “that I would expect when 50 people have perished.”

“I continue to be discouraged by the direction of the campaign and comments that are made. And I did not think yesterday’s speech was the type of speech that one would give who wants to leads this country through difficult times,” Corker told MSNBC and other outlets on Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander wouldn’t call Trump the Republican party’s nominee when asked about the candidate on Tuesday. When the Associated Press called Trump the “presumptive nominee,” Alexander responded “that’s what you say.”

This is a developing story. Check Tennessean.com for more information as it becomes available.

Thomas Novelly contributed to this report.

Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892 and on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1. Reach Joel Ebert at 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.