"Romney Urges GOP Donors to Influence Trump Rivals' Exit for Competitive Field"

Senator Mitt Romney is calling on Republican donors to pressure noncompetitive GOP presidential candidates to drop out of the race by February 2024 to prevent former President Trump from running against a crowded field. Romney argues that a crowded primary field could benefit Trump, who currently leads in GOP opinion polls. He warns that candidates with no chance of winning may stay in the race for personal gain or future opportunities, splitting the non-Trump vote and giving Trump an advantage in winner-take-all primaries. Romney, a vocal critic of Trump, cautions that party leaders cannot effectively narrow the field, and it is up to donors to encourage candidates to withdraw.