Trump's recent choices for other key posts -- attorney general, national security adviser and chief White House strategist -- have come under fire on civil rights grounds from Democrats and other critics.

But Trump has also moved to mend fences with moderate Republicans as he goes about building a new administration, interviewing one-time foe Mitt Romney for secretary of state on Saturday, and inviting his ousted transition chief Chris Christie for a sit-down Sunday at his Trump National Golf Club.

"We're going to have a great day. Great people coming. You'll see. Great people," he told reporters tracking the comings and goings. Less than an hour and a half later, Trump added: "Getting very close on a lot."

He and Vice President-elect Mike Pence began their day attending a Sunday service at a Presbyterian church in the New Jersey countryside.

But the early-rising Trump was on Twitter before that, attacking the cast of hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" as rude, and "Saturday Night Live," the late-night satirical show that mercilessly lampoons him, as "nothing funny at all."