Trump got smoked out within the first couple of minutes of his first debate. He wants leverage over the process more than he wants to do the hard work necessary to win the nomination.
I don't think so. Those two different attempts by "Big Donors" to either keep him out of the first debate, or to have the other candidates "take him out" in the first debate, were very real and widely reported.
He's just defending himself and keeping his options open when it is very obvious that some Republican donors are trying to sabotage his campaign. And it doesn't look like the RNC is knocking back any of those donors.
“He wants leverage over the process more than he wants to do the hard work necessary to win the nomination.”
I think that’s a false choice. Trump is very competitive, and will use all the tools available to win, that includes both hard work, and using leverage intelligently. Trump is energetic, and is not afraid of hard work.