Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE defended Matt Lauer Thursday, calling his moderation of a presidential forum "very professional."

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Lauer became the target of criticism after Wednesday's "Commander-in-Chief Forum" on NBC News from those who say he was too soft on Trump, the GOP nominee, and unfair to Democrat Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE.

"I thought he was very professional. I thought he was strong, tough. I thought he was smart," Trump said in an interview on Russian-owned RT America.

"I thought his presentation was excellent. I thought he was very professional."

Reporters especially took issue with Lauer not pushing back on the real estate mogul's claim that he has opposed the Iraq War since the beginning. Numerous fact-checkers have deemed that claim false, as he admitted to supporting the war in 2002.

Others slammed Lauer for rushing Clinton on her answers, noting he did not do the same to Trump.