President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE threw the social media world into a frenzy Friday night with a tweet that praised Russian president Vladimir Putin's criticism of Democrats.

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Putin on Friday deflected accusations of Russian interference in the U.S. election, saying at a press conference: "Democrats are losing on every front and looking for people to blame everywhere. They need to learn to lose with dignity."

Later Friday, Trump piled on, lauding Putin and continuing his denial that Russia interfered in the election.

"Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: 'In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity.' So true!" the president-elect tweeted.

Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: "In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity." So true! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2016

Trump's words drew widespread condemnation on Twitter, from journalists, liberals, conservatives and those in the entertainment industry. Some called him a puppet of Putin, while others questioned how an American leader could be so praiseful of a Russian leader who commits war crimes and has journalists killed.

Respondents also expressed shock that the president-elect would side with a foreign leader over American citizens, and that he would make such an impactful pronouncement on Twitter instead of a more traditional channel.

Take a look at some of the reaction to Trump's tweet:

Mr. Pres-elect, is it necessary to cite as an authority on democratic norms a thug whose regime commits war crimes and murders journalists? https://t.co/aSmMyxvrLY — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) December 24, 2016

Just an FYI, Putin has all of his elections rigged. Like, actually rigged. https://t.co/YmqeSpHt78 https://t.co/tAWjoXXjAo — Jordan Zakarin (@jordanzakarin) December 24, 2016

You’re tweeting Vladimir-freaking-Putin. The KGB master is coming to your defense and you’re proud of this? Have you no dignity whatsoever? https://t.co/aOf7GuoUtV — John Aravosis (@aravosis) December 24, 2016

This is your leader America. Merry fucking Christmas. https://t.co/gUZzXshehM — digby (@digby56) December 24, 2016

He isn't even disguising it. The Republican Party has succeeded in bringing a madman to power. But once again, they will make excuses. https://t.co/lINQStMcHV — Elliott Lusztig (@ezlusztig) December 24, 2016

Joining a Russian dictator in mocking an American is disgusting. https://t.co/9N3t5DV3kA — Kristy Campbell (@kristymcampbell) December 24, 2016

What if Hillary had won in the Electoral College but lost the popular vote by 3 million? How would Trump and Trump Nation have reacted? https://t.co/1SleLbKuhC — Jay Nordlinger (@jaynordlinger) December 24, 2016

Republican leaders must condemn @realDonaldTrump's alliance with Putin, a foreign adversary who is actively undermining our democracy. https://t.co/7q0OkzNF2T — Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) December 24, 2016

you use more exclamation points than a menu in a Guy Fieri restaurant https://t.co/iXfYzjLLAO — Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) December 24, 2016