The fact that things have been allowed to progress so far suggests that DJT trusts Pence. If Biden is actually certified, then Pence could in principle actually pull a 25th Amendment, and the fake news would ensure that it sticks despite the hurdles built in. But POTUS seemingly isn't concerned about this.
By contrast, the black hat team likely takes Pence as the sort sort of "principled conservative" that they have been suckering for years. POTUS can use Pence to play them.