Fact-Checking Donald Trump's Claim About 'Today' Show's Ratings

Simply put: Trump is way off.

Donald Trump took aim at NBC's Today on Wednesday, claiming the morning show is "doing so badly compared to its glorious past."

The president-elect had previously criticized NBC News, home to Today, on his Twitter feed, calling the news organization "fake news" for not crediting him for the recent job-creation announcements from companies such as Ford, General Motors and Lockheed Martin.

"Totally biased @NBCNews went out of its way to say that the big announcement from Ford, G.M., Lockheed & others that jobs are coming back...to the U.S., but had nothing to do with TRUMP, is more FAKE NEWS," Trump tweeted early Wednesday. "Ask top CEO's of those companies for real facts. Came back because of me!"

He then added, "No wonder the Today Show on biased @NBC is doing so badly compared to its glorious past. Little credibility!"

Trump was likely referring to a Tuesday NBC News story suggesting companies are announcing U.S. job creation plans in a bid to to avoid Trump's Twitter wrath. On Wednesday, Today brought on MSNBC’s chief legal correspondent, Ari Melber, to say Trump’s impact on job creation is “very small or nonexistent."

No wonder the Today Show on biased @NBC is doing so badly compared to its glorious past. Little credibility! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2017

Totally biased @NBCNews went out of its way to say that the big announcement from Ford, G.M., Lockheed & others that jobs are coming back... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2017

In actuality, Trump is way off in his Today show claim.

Today is the No. 1 morning show this season in the critical 25-54 demographic and among younger viewers 18-49, for the week ending Friday, Jan. 6.

The veteran talk show has won 143 consecutive broadcasts in the demo (for the week ending Jan. 6), dating back to June 10, 2016. The NBC News morning show is widening the gap with ABC’s Good Morning America this season, posting its biggest advantage over GMA in five years (since the 2011-12 season).

Trump also granted his second TV interview as president-elect to Today's Matt Lauer.

Those in the NBC family were quick to respond to Trump's tweet, including MSNBC's Kyle Griffin, who cited a December Associated Press report on Today beating rival GMA in ratings. "NBC's 'Today' literally had its best ratings against GMA in 4 1/2 years last month," he wrote.

Trump's Twitter tirade comes on the heels of his recent attacks on CNN, which the president-elect lambasted as "fake news" for its reporting on the leaked, unverified dossier during his first news conference.

"The fact is, the top four intelligence chiefs of the United States decided to include in their briefing to the president and president-elect a two-page summary of allegations involving the president-elect. That is newsworthy by any definition," CNN President Jeff Zucker said in defense of his network. "It’s just unfortunate that the most powerful person in the world is trying to delegitimize journalism and an organization that plays such a vital role in our democracy,"