Reagan’s first debate with Mondale was a disaster, to the point, where even Reagan’s people thought he might blow his re-election. Then came the second debate when Reagan said, “I want you to know also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”, and the rout was on!
Trump didn’t listen to the smart advice he was given, they got under his skin and he didn’t recover. He had an opportunity to put the election away and failed. The loss, whether he can accept it or not, falls on him. The shenanigans happened but we’re not enough to “steal“ the election from him without him doing what he needed to do to appeal to fence sitters.