Good point. The media attacked Trump 24/7 for 4.5 years, constantly manufacturing turmoil and phony controversies at which he was the center. It was a hell of a challenge for him— one that no other president, not even Reagan or Bush 43, ever had to tolerate. Obviously, some segment of swing/independent voters were/are too stupid to understand what was happening and perceived Trump as the catalyst rather than the victim of the media-manufactured turmoil. So, yes, in retrospect, he might have taken the bait less and tried to be a little more boring. I’m 100% sure it would have helped, but it likely wouldn’t have hurt.
Meant to say. I’m NOT 100% sure it would have helped...
It's too bad that Trump didn't use Pence more often but I believe that Pence would had been effective in this role if Trump delegated the part where he takes questions from reporters. So Trump gets to make his speech. Then he leaves. Pence answers any questions media have for him. Pence is boring so he would be able to de-escalate.