When I was in school, we had annual elections for a class president. The idea, I suppose, was to give the students some experience with the democratic process, but, in reality, it was nothing but a popularity contest. The winner had no power and no real responsibilities. All he won was a title that he could enjoy for a year.
I think Trump views 2016 in much the same way. He won the popularity contest, so he should be able to take a four year victory lap. Governing doesn’t really enter into the picture at all. It shows.