SELMA, N.C. _ Trump addressed thousands of supporters at an outdoor rally in North Carolina on Thursday night, seeking to build excitement in a crucial swing state just days before the election.
Trump was joined onstage at The Farm, in Johnston County, by a couple dozen retired military officers sporting "Make America Great Again" hats. The officers have endorsed his campaign.
"I stand here tonight among true heroes," Trump said. "I will never, ever let you down, I will tell you that, and you've been let down plenty over the years."
Trump promised that if he's elected, he'll ensure "full and proper funding for all branches of the American armed forces."
At an earlier rally Thursday in Concord, Trump ripped Democrat Hillary Clinton, accusing her of "far-reaching criminal conduct" and saying her election would "create an unprecedented constitutional crisis."
Trump referred to Clinton's emails as well as the Clinton Foundation.
"She got away with murder, honestly," he said. "She has no right to be running, you know that. But ... if she were to win, it would create an unprecedented constitutional crisis that would cripple the operations of our government."
In Johnston County, traffic in the rural area was gridlocked for more than two hours before the event. People rode in the beds of pickup trucks and hung out their windows on Interstate 95 waving signs of every color and size emblazoned with candidate names and campaign slogans.
Two men hopped out of their car in the midst of traffic to sell hats with the slogan "Make America Great Again." Nearby, Springhill Outfitters advertised the event on its electronic sign along with "hot specials on guns."
Supporters said their candidate's name stands for "This Republican Understands My Problems."
Lisa and Patrick Smelik of Raleigh said they support Trump because they believe he'll increase the number of jobs and because he's "a true American."
"We need jobs and we need lower taxes," Lisa Smelik said. "He's the right person for everyone ... He's going to bring people together because there's been such a divide."
"He's more of an independent," Patrick Smelik said. "The Republicans have been in too much of a groove."
Several women at the rally said they weren't bothered by Trump's boasts about sexual assault on a leaked "Access Hollywood" tape.
"Any man you meet, that's how they talk," said Talia Sutton of Lucama. "My husband talks the same way Donald Trump does. I'm not going to get mad. It's his politics, it's what he plans on doing for this country _ that's what matters to me."
Dennie Johnson, 66, of Wilson County, and his wife, Cora Lee, 54, had never voted before this year. Trump got them to the polls, they said.
"I want change," Cora Lee Johnson said. "And someone who will send the ones who ain't legal back."
Janey Lane, Heather Jones and Hunter Lane, of Micro, said they think Trump will support law enforcement officers such as Hunter, who is a Fuquay-Varina police officer.
"We need somebody who supports them instead of hanging them out to dry," Janey Lane said. "Someone who's not part of the establishment. He's not part of the good ol' boys' club. He's not scared."
But Lane said other countries should be afraid of Trump.
"I hope he does have his finger on the button," she said. "We need the rest of the world to be afraid of us and not knowing what he might do will do that. We need someone who won't apologize for us."
Cindy and Joe Thornton of Benson have a drywall business, and their sons own a gym. This was their first political rally.
"It's so hard for people now," Cindy Thornton said. "Taxes, health care. People are struggling."
And the Thorntons said Trump can fix that.
"Lower taxes, a flat tax, abolish the IRS," Joe Thornton said. "He's a businessman and I think the country should be run like a business. If businesses gave away everything like the government, they'd fail."
Thursday's rally won't be Trump's last visit to North Carolina before Election Day.
Trump's campaign announced Thursday that he'll hold a Raleigh rally at 3 p.m. Monday in Dorton Arena at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. He'll also be in Wilmington on Saturday for a 1 p.m. rally at Wilmington International Airport.
Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will hold a rally in Greenville on Friday.
Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign is also keeping a busy schedule in North Carolina in the final days of the election season. President Barack Obama will campaign for Clinton Friday in Fayetteville and Charlotte.
