At Donald Trump's final rally before Election Day, the Republican presidential nominee went all out to get the New Hampshire audience on his side by invoking the names of two Patriots legends.
Trump took the stage at Southern New Hampshire University on Monday night to make a big push for the state's four Electoral College votes. That may seem like a small number, but the state could significantly impact the election before all is said and done. (As Time.com notes, had Al Gore won New Hampshire in 2000, a Florida recount wouldn't have prevented him from becoming President Gore.)
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Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is projected to take the state, according to multiple polls and election forecasts, so Trump may have been throwing up a bit of a Hail Mary by telling the crowd he has the full endorsements of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick.
Trump: "Tom Brady called today. He said 'Donald I support you, you're my friend, I voted for you." Says Brady gave him permission to say so
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) November 8, 2016
!!!!! Trump tells Manchester crowd that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have endorsed him. Now Trump is reading a letter from Belichick.
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) November 8, 2016
Trump read a letter he said was from Belichick giving credit to Trump for his presidential run despite facing a "slanted" media.
Trump now reading a letter from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, slamming the media and offering unqualified endorsement.
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) November 8, 2016
Belichick allegedly wrote to Trump that the media is "slanted." https://t.co/yRs5Ua8IO0
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) November 8, 2016
So Bill Belichick wrote Trump "you have dealt with an unbelievable slanted and negative media and come out beautifully"
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) November 8, 2016
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As is the case with many of the things Trump has said, we might need a fact check. WEEI's Scott McLaughlin points out Brady said earlier the same morning he had yet to vote.
Brady said on @KirkAndCallahan this morning he hadn't voted yet. Early voting in Massachusetts ended Friday. https://t.co/PL7DgBJOKA
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) November 8, 2016
Before he moved on, Trump wished Belichick good luck in doing whatever it is he does out there on the football field with the sports people.
"Go win a good Super Bowl, or whatever you want to do." - Trump's message to Belichick
— Molly Ball (@mollyesque) November 8, 2016
Yeah, this election needs to be over.
