I will say I think Trump is only "not controlled" by the GOP in that he's far too aggressive for their liking and he isn't willing to "spin" what they want so it's as palatable as possible for their opposition. But controlling all the cards, who says that even matters?
He's not controlled as in he doesn't need their approval for anything. It goes something like this
Candidate 1 to R(D)NC leader -> I got some idea's and I really thinkg people will follow me so I'd like your support in getting elected to X position.
Candidate 2 to R(D)NC leader -> Me too, me too.
R(D)NC Leader reply -> We don't care about your ideas, if you want our support then you must agree to do as we say and offer your support or vote in accordance to our leadership.
Candidate 1 in reply -> Well I don't really want to do such a thing, I feel I should be someone that represents the voters.
Candidate 2 to R(D)NC -> I'll do it!
Candidate 1 -> Hello ... anyone there ...
R(D)NC Leader to world -> Introducing Candidate 2, the hope and change you all can believe in. All media attention will be given to Candidate's 2 and 3 with focus on who radical Candidate 3 is and how we might not be ready for such a change. Candidate 2 will run on a similar platform but be more moderate and likable. That other guy will never be mentioned, ever, zero attention is to be given to them.
That is how that works. Whomever they want to blacklist they just refuse to publish or report any information about. Trump ran for President in 2012 but the Republican party blacklisted him and absolutely nobody gave him any attention. He was deliberately shut out of the race so that they could position their own chosen candidate. He saw what was happening, withdrew and then reformed his plan. This time he opened with a very loud announcement that if they didn't play fair he would spend his own vast resources to run independent and split their vote against Her Majesty. He didn't use regular channels, he didn't' ask for permission, he didn't "play fair", he just opened up with the treat and forced the RNC to accept him as a candidate for their primary. Several times they attempted to disarm him so they could sabotage his candidacy and get their own person in, and each time he refused to put down the gun. That's what the whole "oath to not run against the party" *** on national TV was about.
Now if someone inside the Liberal camp had done the same thing then maybe they might of had the appearance of a fair open primary instead of the sham it was.