They didn't think Trump was actually that popular, and they also didn't realize how universally loathed they themselves are.
They understand both now, and they act accordingly.
They literally have to cheat even in a losing effort. If the real vote count were to come out, it would blow people's minds. It would be so skewed from what they're used to seeing that normies would probably assume it was Trump who cheated.
They didn't think Trump was actually that popular, and they also didn't realize how universally loathed they themselves are. They understand both now, and they act accordingly.
They literally have to cheat even in a losing effort. If the real vote count were to come out, it would blow people's minds. It would be so skewed from what they're used to seeing that normies would probably assume it was Trump who cheated.