Trump Looks to Line Up Crucial Delegates Following RI Campaign Stop

Trump Looks to Line Up Crucial Delegates Following RI Campaign Stop

Republican Presidential front runner Donald Trump came to Rhode Island on the eve of the state's primary -- and while he energized the crowd of nearly 1,000 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick with his promises to build a wall along the border, bring jobs back to Rhode Island -- and support New England Patriot Tom Brady -- he was forced to stop numerous times throughout his speech to have protesters escorted out, who joined hundreds of Trump supporters who didn't get let into the event tent due to space constraints. 

Trump, who currently has 845 delegates in the race for the nomination, with 19 up for grabs in Rhode Island on the Republican side on Tuesday, took turns focusing on policy issues, and taking aim at his GOP competition. 

Nate Silver at 538 predicts Trump can garner 9 in Rhode Island on Tuesday in his quest to reach 1,237 before the Republican convention this summer -- or face a brokered convention instead.

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Trump's visit to Rhode Island followed appearances by Democratic hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders over the weekend, with the latter garnering more than 5,000 to Roger Williams Park on Sunday, according to estimates. 

SLIDES: See Photos from Monday's Event

Trump, after warming up the crowd by stating, "Leave Tom Brady alone," after the Patriot's "Deflategate" suspension was upheld by a U.S. Court of Appeals on Monday, turned his attention briefly to the protesters, who interrupted him on at least three separate occasions, before being shouted down by supporters -- and escorted out. 

"I honestly believe they do not love our country," said Trump. 

Building a Wall, Addressing Collusion, Trade Agreements

Trump addressed his campaign promise of "building a wall" along the border of Mexico, as supporters in attendance repeatedly chanted, "Build the wall."

"Don't even think about it -- it will be built and stop the drugs from coming into Rhode Island," said Trump. "I know you have a problem."

Trump addressed the reports that opponents Ted Cruz and John Kasich will be campaigning together now in an effort to deny Trump the Republican nomination. 

"It's collusion," said Trump. "If you collude in business or on Wall Street, you go to jail."

Trump, who criticized opponent Kasich's support of NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, acknowledged that making certain products in the United States would increase their costs -- but also, he said, create jobs.

"I want Apple to build their product in the United States," said Trump to the crowd. "People will say it will cost more, but tell them we'll have thousands more new jobs. The media never tells you that."

Numbers Turned Away

By noontime on Monday, cars were denied access to parking at the Crowne Plaza for the event scheduled at 1 p.m, being forced to park at remote locations. 

While the crowd at the Crowen Plaza tent was at capacity of eight hundred plus, hundreds of supporters who had signed up to see Trump were turned away from seeing the candidate.