It was a rare occurrence, but president Barack Obama appeared to momentarily lose control of a large crowd at a rally in North Carolina after a Donald Trump protester stole the limelight.

Mr Obama appealed for calm from the voters at Fayetteville State University, waving his hands and calling: “Wait! Hold up!”

The president adopted the voice of an irritated parent and managed to claw back the attention of thousands of people, who were more focused on the elderly gentleman in a military uniform and a beret, holding a Trump sign.

The president slapped the podium and pointed to the crowds surrounding the protester.

“I told you to be focused and you’re not focused right now. You’re not listening to what I’m saying.

“Everybody sit down and be quiet for a second. Now, listen up, I’m serious,” he said, warning that the US could end up with “problems” if people lost focus.

“First of all, we live in a country that respects free speech,” he said to loud applause.

“Second of all it looks like maybe he served in our military and we ought to respect that. Third of all, he was elderly and we’ve got to respect our elders. And fourth of all, don’t boo, vote!”

The president was on the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton just days before the election.

Ms Clinton was joined by vice president Joe Biden in Wisconsin and senator Bernie Sanders in Iowa on Friday.

She then met Jay Z and Beyonce during a concert in Cleveland, later attending a concert with Katy Perry and Stevie Wonder, before returning back to Ohio to meet athlete LeBron James.