> in a really tight race a recount should be mandatory.

In most states, it is.

Trump has reminded us that saying something - no matter how outlandish- frequently enough can make it true to a lot of people.
And that's true in some cases.
If enough people say that GameStop is a good stock to own, it becomes a good stock to own- at least at that moment.
But no matter often we say that the sun was shining all day yesterday, there is still a load of snow in my driveway.