Donald Trump has claimed viewers find his rallies “a hell of a lot more dangerous” than the NFL, one of a number of dubious assertions during a rambling speech which contained a number of outright falsehoods.

In a North Dakota arena packed with thousands of cheering supporters, the US president railed against Hillary Clinton and “fake news”, falsely claimed "the wall" was being built, alluded to the possibility of war, and encouraged supporters to buy a “great” brand of pillow advertised on Fox News.

The rally was the second in three days given by Mr Trump, as he attempts to bolster Republican turnout for November’s midterm elections, which could see his party lose control of both houses of congress.

“When the NFL’s down 20 per cent, it’s the flag, but it’s also the fact that everybody’s watching us on all the different cable networks,” he told the crowd at the Scheels Arena in Fargo. “Because frankly, they find this more exciting than the NFL, and a hell of a lot more dangerous.”

Earlier in the evening, the US president praised pillow company My Pillow and its boss Mike Lindell, calling him “the greatest”, and his pillows “a great product”. Critics noted My Pillow is one of Fox News’ most loyal advertisers.

“I actually use them, believe it or not,” he added. “He’s [Mr Lindell] been a supporter from day one.”

Mr Trump next attacked Democratic representative Maxine Waters. "I mean, [Waters] practically was telling people the other day to assault. Can you imagine if I said the things she said?" asked Trump, who has encouraged violence against protesters at his campaign rallies.

Last week, Ms Waters told citizens opposed to the Trump administration’s policies to confront officials in public, not to assault them.

To jeering supporters, Mr Trump also fantasised about Ms Clinton winning the election and attending a rally in North Dakota, claiming she would have attracted 200 people “in a small hotel”.

“When is she going to get over it? When is she going to get over it?” he later said, to chants of “Lock her up!” from the crowd. She was “guilty” he added, before touting his innocence over the “witch hunt hoax” Russia investigation.

CNN's Jim Acosta heckled at Trump rally and told to 'go home'

He said Justice Anthony Kennedy had retired from the Supreme Court because the judge felt “confident” the president would make the right decision over his replacement, falsely claimed Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi “supports” MS-13, and said, wrongly, that construction on the border wall with Mexico had already begun.

The president then claimed, without providing evidence, the Trump administration’s 30 per cent import tariff on solar panels was “probably” leading to the opening of a dozen new solar power factories. Experts say Mr Trump’s policies have been a disaster for solar, and the renewable industry generally.

Defending his steel tariffs, criticised by both Canada and the EU, the president said the US needed to make its own steel, alluding to the threat of war.

“If something ever happened, you know what I’m talking about, and we needed to make that something, we wouldn’t be able to make steel,” he said.

Trump South Carolina rally Show all 5 1 /5 Trump South Carolina rally Trump South Carolina rally President Donald Trump, in town to support Gov. Henry McMaster, speaks to the crowd at Airport High School, Monday, June 25, 2018, in West Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro) Richard Shiro AP Trump South Carolina rally President Donald Trump gestures during a rally at Airport High School in West Columbia, S.C., Monday, June 25, 2018, for Republican Gov. Henry McMaster. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh AP Trump South Carolina rally President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Airport High School in West Columbia, S.C., Monday, June 25, 2018, for Republican Gov. Henry McMaster. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh AP Trump South Carolina rally WEST COLUMBIA, SC - JUNE 25: President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster at Airport High School on June 25, 2018 in West Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Sean Rayford Getty Images Trump South Carolina rally WEST COLUMBIA, SC - JUNE 25: President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd during a campaign rally for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster at Airport High School June 25, 2018 in West Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Sean Rayford Getty Images

Mr Trump went on to say he was “more popular” than Ronald Reagan, said his wife and daughter “love the women”, bragged about his “great chemistry” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, falsely claimed his approval ratings were over 50 per cent, and insisted he was richer than the “stone-cold losers the elite”.

He concluded the rally by promising to “make America loving again”, to cheers from the crowd, before urging them to vote Republican Kevin Cramer, one of his staunchest allies, into Congress in November.