Donald Trump needs to lose the Twitter tantrums

Russell McDermott, columnist
Russell McDermott, columnist

I hear a lot from my friends-and a see a lot posted online-about the behavior of kids today, especially college students.

Terms like trigger warnings, micro aggression, safe spaces and the like draw both scorn and laughter. It seems to them that the generation poised to lead this nation in just a few years are a bunch of spoiled, pampered brats. They need to toughen up and learn to roll with the punches. Life's not fair and it's worse if you are a self-centered, self-indulgent whiner.

I can see their point. While it's good to be sensitive to others, it's easy to go too far. Thanks to the First Amendment, we all have the right to offend, but no one has the right to live free from anything offensive.

It's important to remember that the Constitution only guarantees the government from interfering with free speech. The right does not exist in a vacuum. If you dish it out, you better be prepared to take it because those who disagree can exercise that same right and come back at you.

Last week, Vice President-elect Mike Pence took his daughter and some other family members to a performance of "Hamilton," which is currently enjoying a run as the hottest ticket on Broadway. Pence was booed by some in the audience upon entering the theater. And after the performance, one of the actors addressed Pence from the stage, thanking him for coming and making a short and civil appeal about diversity and the concerns minorities of all types have about the upcoming administration.

Well, the incident set off a firestorm with many weighing in. Some chastising the "Hamilton" cast, some defending them.

Pence, to his credit, didn't seem to mind at all. He said he enjoyed the show, describing it as "incredible" and remarking on how talented the cast was. When greeted with boos, he told his companions that it was the sound of freedom. He said he listened to the words spoken from the stage and does not expect any kind of apology.

I don't agree with Pence on much, but I respect him on this. That's exactly the kind of response I would hope for from someone charged with helping to lead our nation.

His boss though? Well, that's a different story.

President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter-his preferred mode of communication-to denounce what happened at the performance of "Hamilton" and demand an apology.

This isn't the first time Trump has fired back at critics. I'm willing to bet it won't be the last. And he always does so in his own particular style.

Hey, he can do what he wants. He has as much a right to free speech as the "Hamilton" cast. The thing is, Trump can't stick to criticism of actions and he has no concept of civility. His skin is so thin he must toss in a few put-downs along the way. He couldn't stop himself from adding he had heard "Hamilton"  was "overrated." And when he took to Twitter last week to go after the way Alec Baldwin portrays him on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," he had to throw in that the show wasn't funny-something millions of viewers seem to disagree with.

This is typical Trump. He has a long history of feuds with critics. He doesn't just complain, he attacks. It's his nature.

He needs to work on that.

There's going to be a lot more fire coming Trump's way in the next four-possibly eight-years. There will be a lot of commentary, editorial cartoons and the like. And SNL isn't going to let up. To them, Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. Alec Baldwin, who plays Trump on the show, has a guaranteed paycheck coming for a long time. He should send Trump a 10 percent commission.

And I can't wait until the White House Correspondents Dinner, which is traditionally a good-natured "roast" to the president. Will Trump even attend? Will he be able to sit through the whole thing? And will he respond with wit and good humor like other presidents or spew real vitriol?

Should be a good show either way.

Trump's supporters have little use for those protesting his election. They like to tell them to grow up, toughen up and get over it. Trump won.

Trump should heed similar advice. Grow up, toughen up, get over yourself. You won. Now start acting like a president. And if you need any help, you might ask your running mate.

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