They’d pick someone else, probably whoever was the #2 candidate or the VP pick (with them choosing a new VP, since the election hasn’t happened yet). The electoral college can pick whoever it wants, so as long as the party has consensus I don’t see it being a huge deal.
I know it won’t happen, but what would happen if Trump dropped out after formally becoming the Republican candidate?
They’d pick someone else, probably whoever was the #2 candidate or the VP pick (with them choosing a new VP, since the election hasn’t happened yet). The electoral college can pick whoever it wants, so as long as the party has consensus I don’t see it being a huge deal.
A lot of it depends on timing.
There’s a really good fictional take from before Bush/Gore, called “The People’s Choice” by Jeff Greenfield of all people.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_People's_Choice_(novel)
Candidate wins the election, but dies before the electoral college votes.
So… the VP guy wins? Yeah, no. He wasn’t the candidate and can’t assume the role of President because he was never affirmed as Vice President.
So… the other candidate wins? Yeah, no. They didn’t get enough electoral college votes to be President.
So it all comes down to faithful and faithless electors.
Then the republican party would pick someone else.