Nikki Haley says Trump is turning the Republican party into his 'playpen' and his bid to put leadership in place before the primary is over is a 'massive control move'

Nikki Haley portrayed Donald Trump as a giant toddler on Monday, saying he was turning the Republican Party into his personal 'playpen' as he takes over the Republican National Committee. 

Trump is maneuvering to install top allies in leadership roles at the RNC, including his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

It is an unprecedented move for a candidate who has not yet become the party nominee.

'Donald Trump is now turning the Republican Party into his own playpen,' his last remaining rival told reporters ahead of a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

'Look at what's happening at the RNC. The idea that they would be choosing a chair and a director before a primary is over is a massive control move by Donald Trump.'

Nikki Haley portrayed Donald Trump as a giant toddler on Monday, saying he was turning the Republican Party into his 'playpen' as he takes over the Republican National Committee

Donald Trump is planning to install his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on the RNC

Michigan holds its primaries on Tuesday, and Haley is likely headed for another heavy defeat.

The Trump campaign has already signaled that it is no longer paying attention to the former governor of South Carolina, and is pivoting to attack President Joe Biden.

Earlier Ronna McDaniel said she was stepping down as chair of the RNC.

That paves the way for Trump figures to move in. 

Trump earlier in the month announced his preference for North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley, a little-known veteran operative focused in recent years on the prospect of voter fraud, to replace McDaniel. 

He also names his daughter-in-law to serve as committee co-chair. And top campaign adviser Chris LaCivita is expected to take over as chief operating officer.

Campaigns often merge with the RNC to coordinate fundraising and spending, but not so early in the cycle.

Haley said the move showed how the RNC was now just about Trump, at the expense of holding on to the House and winning the Senate in November's elections. 

'I have decided to step aside at our spring training on March 8 in Houston to allow our nominee to select a chair of their choosing,' Ronna McDaniel said in a statement

Another Trump favorite is North Carolina Republican president Michael Whatley

The idea that there is a resolution out there in the RNC saying Donald Trump can't use RNC for his legal slush and he's upset that that was proposed tells you everything you need to know,' she said.

'The idea that those now moving into the RNC are saying the RNC is only going to be about Donald Trump ... you can hang up the House, you can hang up the Senate and the rest of the ticket.'

Haley lost heavily in her home state of South Carolina on Saturday, and has little chance of wresting the nomination from Trump.

However, she continues to argue that polls show she has a better chance of beating Biden than her rival.

And she said the early state primaries showed that a big chunk of Republicans wanted a different candidate.

About 250 people heard Haley speak in Grand Rapids on Monday afternoon

'If you have a candidate that can't win 40 percent of the vote in the early states, if you have a candidate who can't bring in Independents, if you have a candidate that is driving people out of our party, then that is a sinking ship, guaranteeing a president Kamala Harris,' she said, referring to Biden's running mate.

The message was enough to bring out about 250 supporters to a ballroom at a downtown Grand Rapids hotel.

'I'm kind of excited to see Nikki Haley,' said Bill Solomon, 49, who works in IT. 'I think she brings an opportunity for change that Donald Trump and Joe Biden don't bring.'

He said it was wrong to write her off yet.

'I think there's a good chance Trump doesn't make it. His legal entanglements are gonna cause him to drop out. And then Nikki will be there.'