Let's try this as one possibility in a crazy Alice in Wonderland world where anything is possible.
There was no race to win? One massive sting exercise. Democracy suspended officially (though secretly) the very day of Trump's Inauguration.
System too corrupt to allow 'normality' to proceed until system cleaned up. This Faux Election has been part of the clean up process. Trump had no election to lose. 'Not just another four yearly election'
Well, it would certainly be a world shocker if such a narrative proved to be true.