Washington, January 5 (RHC)-- A meeting on Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and newly sworn-in Democrats ended in split descriptions of what transpired, with Republicans expressing optimism a deal could be struck and their political opponents reporting no end in sight.

Neither side emerged detailing an immediate breakthrough that could end the continued stalemate that has allowed a partial government shutdown to wear on.  And despite his rosier outlook, Trump conceded the impasse could reach an historic length, a timeline first relayed by the Senate's top Democrat.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters in Washington that Trump threatened he'd "keep the government closed for a very long period of time -- months or even years."  Later, when asked by a journalist at the White House, Trump confirmed he said "months or even years," pointing out that he didn't think it would last quite that long, but that he was "prepared."

The Trump administration and the Democratic opposition are divided over the border wall, which the president insists Mexico will pay for, yet continues to ask for $5 billion from U.S. taxpayers.