NEW: Ronna McDaniel releases damage control letter after report she’s stepping down

Charlie Kirk stated that "An inside source tells me this is the RNC's attempt to slow things down because they've lost control of the process, ie who replaces Ronna, who will be co-chair."

The letter from McDaniel reads "With a news cycle full of palace intrigue and speculation surrounding all of us, I want to take the time to reassure all of you that I am still hard at work as RNC Chairwoman and building a machine that will elect Republicans up and down the ballot in November."

She states that she is "currently on the road fundraising" and that the RNC is "staffing up" in 15 states, "making phone calls and knocking on doors to get out the vote," giving names of specific elections that the RNC is working on winning.

In addition to campaign work, McDaniel addresses the "77 election lawsuits across 23 states, many of which will have ramifications across the country."

As to her continuing in her position, she calls those rumors a distraction. "Myself and my staff are refusing to be distracted by the outside noise and we remain committed to our mission—rumors to the contrary are simply not true. Nothing has changed and there will not be any changes decided until after South Caroline, when we may have our eventual nominee."

The South Carolina primary will be held on February 24. Nikki Haley will face off against Donald Trump in her home state.

McDaniel has been under fire for months from unhappy Republicans who have slammed her use of funds for things like excessive floral arrangements, balked at her initial displeasure at having to back Donald Trump as the eventual nominee, among other concerns.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that McDaniel had told Trump that she was intending to step down in advance of the South Carolina primary. Her chief of staff said on Tuesday that he would be stepping down.

"I know the timing of this news comes as many rumors in the press swirl and we prepare to merge with the presumptive nominee. I assure you, the RNC is in an incredibly strong position," Mike Reed said. He will be stepping down later this month.

As to McDaniel's meeting with Trump, Reed said "We always knew there would be some changes once we had a presumptive nominee, and we welcome that,” Reed wrote. “Chairman McDaniel has had great conversations with President Trump over the last few days and weeks. She will continue to lead this organization to merge seamlessly should he be the nominee."