The more I think about it, the more I'm certain Trump and team are mobilizing for something massive.
If Donald Trump truly had been defeated in this struggle, would you expect him to just quietly sulk off into the night, with his tail between his legs? Hell no! He'd absolutely fight, one way or another, to get his words out. He'd create new media platforms as soon as the old ones are taken down. He would've started this by joining Gab or Parler after the Twitter ban. Donald Trump would not stay silent - he would be there for his supporters, his nation, and fight until his dying breath - whenever his deep state assassins get to him.
What he seems to be doing now - the pseudo-concessions, the lack of public appearances - simply do not accord with his character. The silence is deafening, and that's how you tell something's definitely up. "Stay tuned."
Did Obama after his first four years, before entering his second term?
He did not. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/obama-pardons I checked Bush2 and Clinton and they didn't either. The only time pardons were issued in January was when it was the end of their Presidency.
So President Trump issuing a ton of pardons now means that he's acknowledging that this is the end of his Presidency (wink wink nudge nudge).