I doubt anyone in Trump's camp is smart enough to figure this out, but his chance at the White House DEPENDS on the Republicans holding firm and not confirming any Obama appointee. There is significant division over Trump being the nominee among the GOP. If he takes his can of spray-tan and army of miscreants and goes 3rd party, the election goes to the Hilldabeast and the 2nd Amendment goes by-by.
If the Republicans confirm this guy to the Court, Trump has no chance to win because there's no reason for people to come to the polls in November. They've lost the Court and the party is divided three ways and nobody can garner enough votes to win. Essentially, this is a big game of chicken. Trump will try to keep them from confirming anyone and the Senate will try to confirm someone to keep Trump out of the nomination.
Oh, and if the 2nd Amendment goes away we're looking at a new American Revolution.
Sleep well.