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Donald Trump slams Times for 'inaccurate coverage'

Technically Incorrect: This time the president-elect's Twitter target is the New York Times, while an 'SNL' comedian offers a little realism.

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.


Will he ever be happy?

The Washington Post/Getty Images

The election storm may have passed, but the tradition of the president-elect's tweetstorm has not.

On Sunday morning, Donald Trump woke up and had something on his mind.

No, it wasn't the economic plight of those who see no future for themselves. Nor was it the political plight of those whom he roundly defeated.

Instead, it was the New York Times.

"Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the 'Trump phenomena,'" he tweeted.

I hadn't been aware that the Times was struggling because it hadn't been nicer to Trump, but he's always privileged to more inside information than am I.

He wasn't done. He tweeted: "The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change -- doubt it?" Does he question whether he doubts it? It's hard to know.

And then there was: "The @nytimes states today that DJT believes 'more countries should acquire nuclear weapons.' How dishonest are they. I never said this!" (The evidence isn't necessarily on his side.)

It's odd, though, that at a time when he might be celebrating his superior electoral skills and charisma Trump is picking a Twitter fight.

Though I understand he tells "60 Minutes" on Sunday night that he's going to be more restrained on Twitter during his presidency, does he really need to troll those whom he has proved so wrong?

Coincidentally, on "Saturday Night Live" celebrated comedian Dave Chappelle made his return.

"We've actually elected an internet troll as our president," he explained.

Once trolls find their pleasure in flaming others on Twitter, it's very hard to let it go. It's a lot more fun -- and a lot easier -- than deciding what to do about, say, Vladimir Putin's intentions in Eastern Europe.

Chappelle was sanguine about this election. He offered a black perspective that chuckles at "white riots in Portland, Oregon." He said he hasn't seen white people so angry since the OJ Simpson verdict.

"I don't know if he's going to make a good president," said Chappelle of Trump, "but I know he makes a swell hotel suite."

It's worth watching the whole of Chappelle's segment in order to remember that amid all the idealistic wailing, kvetching, lying and trolling there's a grim reality. For some, it's grimmer than for others.

The question is whether it will ever change. Another question might be whether Twitter trolling can possibly help it change.