In 2008 Hillary suggested she was staying in the race because Obama might get murdered and then she would win the nomination. Her statement did not have the ambiguity of trumps statement and she was still forgiven.
I think he was just joking, tbh. Albeit a reckless and scary one, a joke nonetheless.
The only response you ever have to Trump's bloviating is to bring up something Clinton did. Why can't you address Trump's actions for what they are? You're in serious denial.