This is a pretty standard psychological ploy, it's a way to get away with bad behaviour; being insulting, offensive, or generally obnoxious, and when called on it suddenly announce "Geez, I'm just kidding, get a sense of humour." This is a standard passive-aggressive act by those who want express something that others will find offensive, without having to face the consequences of offending/ insulting someone; they try to look like the innocent victim while you are the petty over-sensitive asshole. This is both used unconsciously by people who are afraid of direct conflict, and deliberately by those who want to be an asshole but have the fig-leaf of cover from accountability. It is used extremely often, and most people know it's bullshit, but those who use the defense seem to think it protects them. You may recall Trump several times over the past four years saying one or another deeply stupid or insensitive things (or both) and then the official line is that "it was a joke" - uh huh... right.
This makes me think he's doing it for the attention.
And then the self-righteous position and accusing others of hypocrisy. Pretty standard stuff.
You were right on your second line, this guy is a troll.
And always remember: "Don't feed the trolls."
Not so much down, just more like a nagging itch. you can't scratch, something you can't quite remember, a word on the tip of your tongue bat can't quite get it out.
I get over it, only when I play the game does it nag at me.
S'pose I could ask though, get some kind of resolution.