Looks awful, because the acted, behaved and tried to convince other people to act awful for his benefit and against constitutional free elections. The possibility that Trump believed it anyway after being told by friends, staff, the attorney general, does not enter into, did he act illegally to thwart a free and fair election. He was told the fact. Ignorance of the law and his oath to support the constitution, is no excuse. The asshole is guilty of trying to corrupt a free and fair election, should be brought up on charges in Federal Court, found guilty and sentenced, that we may never have to go through this crap again with one of his supporting cast of assholes.
In my opinion, the supporters that helped were in position and knowledgeable enough, as they were told, this was illegal. They are treasonous traitorous bastards to a man and woman that tried to assist in his goal of corrupting the outcome of the election as decided by the people at the polls, representing the vote of the citizens of the Unite States of America.