Donald Trump, who has made headlines with his rants at critics on Twitter, has said he does not like using the social media platform.

The President-elect leaned heavily on Twitter to hit back at critics and weigh in on foreign policy issues throughout the election campaign, and has continued tweeting prolifically since winning the presidency in November.

The 70-year-old billionaire, who has tweeted 125 times so far this year, has also insisted he will continue to use the platform when he is president.

Speaking in an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" programme which will air on Wednesday, he will say: "I don't like tweeting. I have other things I could be doing.

"But I get very dishonest media, very dishonest press. And it's my only way that I can counteract."


Image: A Madame Tussauds' artist touches up a new waxwork of Donald Trump in New York

At the weekend, Mr Trump became embroiled in a spat on Twitter with civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis.

The 76-year-old said he would not attend Mr Trump's inauguration on Friday, citing what he called Russian interference in the election.

Mr Trump said: "Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results.

I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017

"All talk, talk, talk, - no action or results. Sad!"

In the Fox interview, Mr Trump continued to criticise Mr Lewis, saying the Congressman had never skipped an inauguration, although his office later acknowledged he had missed George W Bush's ceremony in 2001.

Mr Trump said: "So he got caught and it's pretty bad. So let's see what happens."

Mr Lewis is among a list of around 50 Congress members who have said they will boycott the inauguration.

'Give us your tickets if you boycott'

Celebrities have also refused to take part, with a host of musicians turning down invites to perform during the ceremony.

Mr Trump responded to the apparent snubs by telling Fox: "Many of the celebrities that are saying they're not going, they were never invited.

"I don't want the celebrities, I want the people, and we have the biggest celebrities in the world there."

Fashion designers have apparently declined to provide clothing for his wife Melania, or have discouraged others from dressing the former model.

Image: Congressman John Lewis has been embroiled in a Twitter spat with Mr Trump

Tom Ford was among those who refused, but Mr Trump claimed his wife "doesn't like Tom Ford, doesn't like his designs".

Mr Trump said he did not mind if people boycotted the ceremony because "we need seats so badly, I hope they give me their tickets".

He claimed he was told that "some of the dress shops in Washington, you can't get a dress any more", adding that "you will have crowds like they have rarely seen before".

The President-elect said his whole family will spend the first night of his presidency in the White House, and added that he had thought about his parents after winning the election.

Trump goes on Twitter tirade over British spy

Mr Trump also addressed claims that Russia had an incriminating dossier of intelligence against him, which emerged earlier this month.

He said he accepted that CIA director John Brennan was not behind the leak, but said intelligence agencies should not have been "a part of it".

Mr Trump also addressed a row with White House press members over plans to move the press briefing room because of the number of correspondents.

Trump clashes with intelligence agencies and media

He said some people in the press would not be able to get in the current room because it is too small, adding: "We'll have to just pick the people that go into the room, I'm sure the other people will be thrilled about that.

"They'll be begging for a much larger room really soon, just watch."

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