I had a similar experience in Tallahassee in 2000.
It was the night that Harris was going to release the official totals of the Florida recount. There were around 250 Freepers, and 3 Gore supporters.
Do you think the report read like this? No. Every reporter (print, TV news, photographer) went to the Gore supporters for an interview. We heckled the reporters. I was even told to keep quite because I was disrupting the interview. The next day, the pictures in the papers and on web sites showed a big crowd with the Gore supporters in front. It looked like a huge Gore crowd (except for my daughter, who slipped in the bottom of one of the pics with her Sore Loserman sign.
Earlier in the evening, 5 bus loads of protestors drove up. They unloaded and were handed pre-printed signs. Leaders told them what to say and they practice their chants prior to moving into the protest area.
Afterwards, they dutifully loaded back into the buses. Total time at the protest? Less than 30 minutes.
Hahahahaha! That's awesome!
I have come to the conclusion that your description is typical. If there is one thing in particular that I identify with Trump is, it is his dislike and distrust of the media.
I think it is wholly justified.