Donald Trump knows what he's doing.

On the night before the presidential election, the Republican candidate visited battleground state New Hampshire, where he pulled out the big guns.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

The New England Patriots quarterback and coach weren’t in attendance Monday night, but Trump told the crowd that arguably the two most popular men in the area are huge supporters.

Of Brady, Trump said: “He called today and he said, “Donald, I support you, you’re my friend and I voted for you.’ And I want to tell you this guy is a champ and he is a winner and he is a great person.”

https://twitter.com/chad_amaral/status/795810083343056896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Trump added that Brady gave him permission to announce this news to the crowd.

In September, after reporters spotted a “Make America Great” hat in his locker, Brady commented that it would be “great” if his friend Trump became president. Many people, including Trump, took that to be an endorsement from the four-time Super Bowl champion. But Brady later said his comment was "taken out of context" and that he hadn’t decided who he would vote for.

In the comment section of an Instagram post several days ago, Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen was asked if it was true that she and her husband are supporting Trump. She responded, in all caps, “NO!”

https://twitter.com/DougKyed/status/795837332352077824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Back at Monday’s rally, Trump read what he said was a letter written to him by Belichick:

“Congratulations on a tremendous campaign. You have dealt with an unbelievable slanted and negative media and have come out beautifully. You’ve proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership is amazing. I have always had tremendous respect for you, but the toughness and perseverance you have displayed over the past year is remarkable. Hopefully tomorrow’s elections results will give the opportunity to Make America Great Again. Best wishes for great results tomorrow, Bill Belichick.”

According to Esquire’s Charles P. Pierce, Belichick tends to support Democratic politics and liberal causes but in a quiet manner.

Trump went on to compare the two area football heroes to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s most famous New England supporter, Elizabeth Warren. He called called the Massachusetts senator “a terrible person” and referred to her by a nickname that pokes fun of her claims of Native American heritage.

"I'll make you a deal: You can have Pocahontas; I'll take Tom Brady and Bill Belichick," Trump told the crowd.

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii