Matt Lauer

By Kimberly Nordyke, Jun. 26, 2014, Hollywoodreporter.com

Matt Lauer came under fire Thursday morning following his interview with GM chief executive Mary Barra over a question he asked about her ability to do her job well while also being a good mother.

During the interview, which aired Thursday on NBC'sToday, Lauer brought up a recent statement made by Barra about missing her son's junior prom: "My kids told me the one job they are going to hold me accountable for is 'Mom.' "

Lauer followed up: "Given the pressures of this job at General Motors, can you do both well?"

Barra's response: "You know, I think I can. I have a great team, we're on the right path. ... I have a wonderful family, a supportive husband and I'm pretty proud of the way my kids are supporting me in this."

Afterward, Lauer was criticized in the media and Twitter for asking what many called a "sexist" question. Several viewers asked him on Twitter whether he would have posed the same question to a male.