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At most Trump rallies, there are protestors in the periphery. But the large number of protestors and their aggression outside of the Mohegan Sun arena in Pennsylvania reminded me that we were in politically purple territory.

\"PHOTO:
Tara Palmeri/ABC News
PHOTO: Protesters demonstrated outside of Trump's rallies last week in Lewis Center, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2018.
>

As I walked toward the stadium, there were women dressed in \"Handmaid’s Tale\" garb and others shouting directly at me, “Shame on you!” for walking into the rally. Police officers on horses held the line.

But those eager to get in -- and many were turned away once they reached capacity -- were from nearby states. We found people from Long Island, New York, and New Jersey, all in line for the Trump show in their red MAGA hats.

\"PHOTO:
Tara Palmeri/ABC News
PHOTO: Trump supporters who attended his rallies treated reporters with a mix of hatred and friendliness on Aug. 2, 2018, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
>

Inside the stadium, vendors were sold out before the rally started. No bottles of water sold, perhaps a security concern for the president, but more likely, to secure the press from hurling objects.

Our media pen was surrounded by the Secret Service, protecting us from the crowds.

Trump spent a good portion of both rallies railing against the press. The crowd booed when the president called us “horrible and horrendous people,” even breaking out into chants of \"CNN Sucks.\"

But one-on-one, the crowd was actually very friendly.

In Ohio, it was the same. A crowd riled up by Trump in mass, but pleasant in conversation.

Some Trump supporters in Ohio even admitted that they were conflicted over the president’s feud with their own LeBron James. Trump smartly did not mention the three-time NBA champion, who is building a school for at-risk children in Akron.

\"PHOTO:
Leah Millis/Reuters
PHOTO: Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer before his "Make America Great Again" rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Aug. 2, 2018.
>

In both Pennsylvania and Ohio -– states far from the U.S.-Mexican border -– the crowd burst out into “Build that Wall” chants. Some even chanted “Lock Her Up,” referring to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, even though the 2016 election was years away.

At the Lewis Center, Ohio, high school gym, there was a WiFi network called “Crooked Hillary.” The president, still relishing in his upset, called out local politicians who didn’t support him.

Trump, in his campy style, reflected on decisions he’s made in office and tough positions he’s taken on trade. He touted the economy and again floated shutting down the government for a border wall.

He also threw out a new nickname for Casey in Pennsylvania, “Sleepin’ Bob,” and embraced a controversial figure -- but hometown hero in Ohio -- Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, who’s been accused of ignoring allegations of sexual abuse while as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University.

The crowd chanted “Speaker of the House” for him. Even as the crowd thinned out in the overheated gym, Trump kept hammering away about a “red wave.”

Just four days ahead of the last special election before the midterms, Trump was under pressure to close the deal in Ohio so that in November Jordan even has a chance to run in the Speaker’s race.

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