Trump mocks Arnold Schwarzenegger for 'Apprentice' ratings

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday mocked Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger for failing to match the ratings he received when he was the host of "The Celebrity Apprentice."

In a series of tweets, Trump said that Schwarzenegger "got 'swamped' (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine DJT."

"Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got "swamped" (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT. So much for....," he tweeted followed by "being a movie star-and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1. But who cares, he supported Kasich & Hillary."

Schwarzenegger debuted as the host of Trump's former hit series on Monday. The new series premiere averaged 4.9 million viewers, reports the CNN.

When the show debuted in 2004, Trump's "The Apprentice" was a ratings smash-hit and 18.5 million viewers tuned into its premiere episode.

However by the time his run as host ended, ratings had fallen precipitously.

6.5 million viewers tuned in two years ago to Trump's final season premiere as host -- 1.6 million more than for Schwarzenegger's premiere, true, but 12 million less than the first season.

Schwarzenegger, the Republican former governor of California, backed Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the Republican primary and said in October that he could not support Trump in the general election.