Of Putin, Trump said, "I don't love, I don't hate. We'll see how it works."
In the vice-presidential debate, Pence called Putin "a small, bullying leader," a departure from the warmer rhetoric Trump has used to describe the Russian leader in the past.
During the rally, Trump threatened to sue the makers of a commercial that he said was attacking his positions on veterans. He did not specify which commercial he was talking about.
The nominee also alleged that Democratic rival Hillary Clinton has effectively accused police of "all being racist," though she has not said that.
He urged supporters to register to vote and turn out for him no matter what else is going on in their lives.
"I say kiddingly, but I mean it: I don't care how sick you are," Trump said. "I don't care if you just came back from the doctor and he gave you the worst possible prognosis - meaning it's over, you won't be around in two weeks. Doesn't matter. Hang out till November 8. Get out to vote."
The GOP nominee also put a more intense spin on an argument he has often advanced - that if he doesn't win, his entire campaign will have been a waste.
"If I don't win, this will be the greatest waste of time, money and energy in my lifetime by a factor of a hundred," he said.