I don't think the coup happened in 2016.
I think it happened in 2012 when they saw how handily the dems rigged an election
They then set up the exercises in Europe as a way to stage men and equipment for the battles inside the USA
And to do backchannel organizing with other militaries including Russia.
They were preparing for a violent seizure of power in the USA where the military takes control of all TV/radio stations and all newspapers as well as military bases and Washington DC.
Just like in the movie Plan Z about the takeover in Greece.
They asked Trump to be the figurehead president so it would not seem so much like a military junta
As the plan progressed, people like Bannon and Trump talked them into a subtler approach.
Which is what we have been witnessing since 2016.