It is primarily, a plan.   Indicators are being rolled out so as to normalize the idea.  Trump's tweet and today's pressor,  his attack on voting by mail,  corruption of the US Postal Service, including the appointment of a loyal henchman/big donor as Postmaster.  And, then there is Barr's disingenuous answer to this question by a Congressman as to the legality- " he hasn't looked into it",  and, while he admits to no evidence, he believes that there is a high risk of vote by mail fraud.

While we have the Constitution, election law, and norms, they will not protect the country from Trumpian chaos.  And, those grand re-assurances from Moscow Mitch et. al, are as valuable as those Confederate bonds in their cookie jars.

"Delaying the election probably wouldn't be a good idea."

But it's worth noting almost every one of them have included a little caveat about "making sure it's fair and safe".

Translation, they would be fine with lying and suppression.

Trump just explained his intentions.  Live.  He repeated what he tweeted

"Must know Election results on the night of the Election, not days, months, or even years later!"

As I said.  I think we might know.  But that won't make him happy either