President-elect Trump praised retired Marine Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis on Sunday after meeting with him a day earlier amid talk that the general could become the next secretary of defense.

"General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday," Trump tweeted. "A true General's General!"

Asked whether Trump would choose Mattis for the position, Trump told reporters Saturday, "We'll see, we'll see."

"All I can say is he is the real deal. The real deal," Trump said at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey, according to a pool report. "He's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career. We are going to see what happens but he is the real deal."



As the president-elect turned to re-enter warmer confines from where the press was gathered, a pool report indicates people in the press enclosure shouted about coffee or hot chocolate.

"Need some chocolate, need something? I'll send some stuff," Trump replied, according to a pool report. "I'm not allowed to do that but I will."