Donald Trump wishes Happy New Year to 'enemies' who 'lost so badly'

HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 15: US President-elect Donald Trump is introduced to speak to supporters at the Giant Center, December 15, 2016 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. President-elect Trump has been visiting several states that he won, to thank people for their support in the US election. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Credit: Mark Wilson

Credit: Mark Wilson

HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 15: US President-elect Donald Trump is introduced to speak to supporters at the Giant Center, December 15, 2016 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. President-elect Trump has been visiting several states that he won, to thank people for their support in the US election. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to share New Year's greetings for his supporters and "those who have fought me and lost so badly."

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"Happy New Year to all," the incoming president wrote, "including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"

The message sparked harsh criticism on Twitter from users who found the message divisive.

The tweet was sent on the same day the president-elect ditched the traveling press pool that has traditionally covered the nation's leader to play golf at his course in Florida.

Transition aide Stephanie Grisham said Trump made a "last minute trip" to Trump National Golf Club Jupiter, which is about a half-hour drive from the Mar-a-Lago estate, where Trump has been spending the holidays.

"We are in the home stretch of this transition period and don't anticipate any additional situations like this between now and inauguration," Grisham said in a statement to the AP. "We hope this one incident doesn't negate all the progress we have made and look forward to continuing the great relationships we have built."

He returned to Mar-a-Lago around 3:10 p.m. Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.