Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is charging into the increasingly divisive 2016 GOP White House sweepstakes Thursday with a harsh takedown of front-runner Donald Trump, calling him a "phony" and exhorting fellow Republicans to shun him for the good of the country and party.br "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University," Romney said in a speech readied for delivery to a University of Utah audience, portions of which were provided in advance to numerous news outlets, including CBS News.br "Here's what I know.br Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said in his talk, set for delivery later Thursday.br "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University.br He's playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat.