Let's face it, if Trump really bombed, then we are probably all screwed.
I am inclined to believe Trump was playing a role. Like another user posited: Strategic Analysis of Trump's Debate Performance Through The Art of War.
I have always been adamant, to tell MAGA voters here not to be complacent, and go voting. Perhaps Trump was aware of polls/models being overtly pro-Trump lately, and the danger of voters taking his victory for granted and staying home? Perhaps his "Art of War" performance, was to get his own voters out of the comfortable sofa, and really go vote, like their life depended on it?
Well, just some afternoon ramblings from my side...
Evangelicals are known for this. They like to say a candidate is not "pro-life enough" if they aren't 100% against all abortion (and most recently IVF), and they stay home.
I'll never understand that. I guess they don't think about what the other side is for (and will do) - but as long as they can virtue signal then they don't seem to care.
Here is a recent example of this, and I know it's Newsweek so keep that in mind. It does however illustrate what I'm talking about.
https://www.newsweek.com/evangelical-leader-warns-trump-christian-voters-albert-mohler-1950127