I think Trump knows he is going to lose. He had a quip in the last debate regarding refugees that ended with something like “good luck with that.”  It sort of implied that Clinton will win and future problems belong to her.

All this talk of the “rigged” election is just making excuses for why losing was not Trump’s fault.

Trump can’t stop himself from attacking those who attack him, even when it’s not to his advantage.

So given all that, might he consider the ultimate attack on the Republican establishment?  Might he not take some pleasure in watching Paul Ryan lose his speakership?  (Of course the thought of Speaker Pelosi may counter that.)  But let’s say he does want the ultimate revenge on tthe elected Republicans who have distanced themselves, or in fact withdrawn their endorsement.  Here are two ways he could do that.

Method 1.  He tells his voters not to participate in this rigged election.  “Stay home and don’t reward the turncoat Republicans with your vote.  Force turncoats to take your vote seriously the next time.”  This gives Trump further cover on his loss margin.  He can say on November 9 that he lost because his voters stayed home as he advised.  Not every voter would follow this advice.  But some would, and it would almost certainly lead to  Dem controlled House.  Nice parting gift for his enemy Paul Ryan.

Two days ago I thought the chance he does something like this was approaching 50 percent.  Now I am at more like 25 percent. What might stop him?  Damage to his brand and finances?  Hating the congressional Democrats?  Not wanting to give Hillary a favorable congress?  Does he care more about revenge or the future of the country?  Dunno.

If that wasn’t crazy enough for you, there is always method 2: A Televised Show Trial of Specific Republican Turncoats.  As a prelude to the new Trump network, he hosts a 2 hour televised show trial with him as judge and his supporters as the jury.  He has a surrogate lay out the specific  cases and then the turncoats are invited to call in or appear and beg for their political life. Of course no one would call.  So he probably he wouldn’t do this. But his “jury” could have some fun ripping the turncoats.

A wise friend thinks there is no chance for either. College-aged younger Mr. CL thinks Method 1 is about 50/50 and method 2 has a 1 in 8 possibility.  We’ll probably never know, but if it happens, you read it here first.