Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) on Friday predicted that the Republican Party would use any means necessary to block Donald Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE from winning its presidential nomination.

“The Republican Party is obviously threatened by Trump being his own boss,” Paul told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria." "They like to control people. They’ll do whatever they can. They’re terrified of competition.

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“I think that the Republicans will do everything possible in these last few primaries to keep Trump from capitalizing on this. Then they’ll go to the convention. There’s already threats out there.”

Paul, who ran for president in 2008 and 2012, said establishment Republicans have painted themselves into a corner as Trump racks up delegates on his way to the party's national convention in July.

“Trump’s not going to go away easily,” he said. "That’s not going to happen. He likes trouble and he doesn’t mind threatening people.

“The biggest mess is for the Republican Party.”

Paul said the media circus surrounding Trump’s campaign would prevent the GOP from twisting any electoral rules.

“There’s more exposure this time, which is very good.”

“If they mess around and change the rules, the Trump supporters will know. They’re really in a bind. They’re not going to come out of this with very many benefits for the Republican Party.”

Trump on Wednesday predicted “riots” if party leaders work to block him from winning the nomination despite his leads in both delegates and voter support.

Republicans have talked openly about the possibility of a contested convention should Trump fall short of the 1,237 delegates necessary to clinch the presidential nomination.