How GOP Leaders Are Coming to Terms With Donald Trump

— -- Donald Trump's ascension from Republican presidential contender to presumptive party nominee this week left some -- though not all -- members of the GOP dealing with the emotional pangs of sudden and severe loss.

What once sounded like a fever dream to many conservatives -- a reality star as a possible general election candidate -- all but became a reality. Those anticipating a contested convention this summer in Cleveland appeared to have their hopes swiftly killed when Trump's two remaining opponents, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, bowed out before even making it to the finish line of the primary season.

All week, many Republican leaders seemed to be passing through the political equivalent of the five stages of grief. Some even spoke of Trump's grip on the nomination in those terms. Here's a look at where some of them stand on the spectrum:

1. Denial

"You know, I don't know. I'm still in the first stage of grief, denial, I guess, at this point. But got to move past it and we'll see," Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake told NPR on Wednesday. Flake, like many of his colleagues in the Senate, are keeping Trump at arm's length, refusing to offer endorsements and pledging to avoid events with him.

None of the 24 GOP senators up for reelection have formally endorsed Trump.

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican who faces a competitive race against the state's Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, offered a statement on Wednesday that she plans to "support the nominee," but did not even go so far as to refer to Trump by name.

And come July, only one former GOP nominee plans to attend the national convention. Former President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, former Republican nominees Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts have all declined invitations to attend. Only former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, the party's 1996 presidential nominee, said he will attend.

2. Anger

The Never Trump movement appears to have settled into the second stage of grief: Anger.

On Tuesday night, some outspoken conservatives said they were de-registering as Republicans. Others, like former McCain adviser Mark Salter, furious that their party would back Trump, vowed to vote for Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton come November using the hashtag #ImWithHer on Twitter.

Republican strategist Katie Packer, founder of the anti-Trump group Our Principles PAC, said the group will focus on mitigating potential damage to vulnerable down-ballot races but will also continue to speak out against the Trump campaign.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, who mounted a failed 2016 presidential bid and has been outspoken against Trump, seemed exasperated.

"I don't think he's a reliable Republican conservative," Graham told CNN. "I don't believe that Donald Trump has the temperament and judgment to be commander in chief. I think Donald Trump is going to places where very few people have gone and I'm not going with him."

3. Bargaining

GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan said that while he hopes to support the GOP nominee, Trump will need to earn his endorsement.