MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews has been caught ogling Melania Trump live on national television.

The Hardball host was heard enthusiastically commenting on Mrs Trump's 'runway walk' as she joined her husband for his victory speech in Indiana on Tuesday.

While Brian Williams was speaking about the impact the result would have on the Republican party, Matthews could be heard talking about Mrs Trump's appearance.

Apparently unaware he was speaking into a hot mic, Matthews said: 'Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good. I could watch that runway show.'

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews was caught ogling Melania Trump live on national television as she joined her husband for his victory speech in Indiana on Tuesday.

Williams quickly cut to commercials, but not before scores of people heard what his colleague had said.

Mrs Trump hit back at Matthews, defending herself as an 'independently successful woman'.

'Melania Trump is an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur in her own right, achieving tremendous success in a variety of industries, including an illustrious modeling career, as well as being a dedicated wife and mother,' her spokesman told Variety.

'It is unfortunate to see the continuous inaccuracies and misrepresentations made by the media of Mrs Trump as anything less than the independently successful woman that she is.'

Dozens of people took to Twitter to slam Matthews, demanding MSNBC take him off the air.

Michael Hayes tweeted: 'The way you talk about Trump's wife should get you thrown off the air. You're a real slime ball.'

Another Twitter user, called Eva, wrote simply: '#ChrisMatthews is a vile pig.'

Greg Pollowitz added: 'Chris Matthews has been a pig for a long time'.

Martsen said: 'Good God Chris Matthews is disgusting in every way.'

Apparently unaware he was speaking into a hot mic, Matthews said: 'Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good. I could watch that runway show'

Furious: Dozens of people took to Twitter to slam Matthews, demanding MSNBC take him off the air

Matthews has been accused of making sexist comments in the past.

In 2011, he said Republican Governor Sarah Palin 'could not be hotter as a candidate'.

'There’s something about her. It’s primordial,' the Hardball anchor said.

Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good. I could watch that runway show

'When she walks and moves, there’s something electric about it. Look at, there‘s something. Other candidates don’t do this. She’s constantly in motion. She looks, obviously, very attractive. She’s doing something that works.'

In 2008, he told MSNBC's Morning Joe that Hillary Clinton had not earned her right to run for president and that she was only in politics because of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

'I think the Hillary appeal has always been somewhat about her mix of toughness and sympathy for her,' Matthews said.

'Let’s not forget the reason she is a U.S. senator, the reason she is a candidate for President is because her husband messed around. We keep forgetting it.

'She didn’t get there on her merits, because everyone felt, "My God, this woman stood up under humiliation". Right? That’s what happened.'

He later apologized and admitted his words were 'nasty'.

In 2006, Matthews said 'it would be hard for a woman to take on the job of president' because some men do not like listening to them.

'We were watching Hillary Clinton earlier tonight. She was giving a campaign barn burner speech, which is harder to give for a woman. It can grate on some men when they listen to it, fingernails on a blackboard, perhaps.'

He also said Nancy Pelosi said she would struggle to beat President George W. Bush in debates over drug reform and the minimum wage.

'How does she do it without screaming? How does she do it without becoming grating?' Matthews asked.