Former US Defense Secretary Mocks Trump 'Overrated General' Claims

General James Mattis served in Mr Trump's government from January 2017-December 2018 (Picture: US Department of Defense).

Former US Defense Secretary James Mattis has mocked his old boss, President Donald Trump, after he labelled him "the world's most overrated general". 

General Mattis, who resigned last December over a dispute in policy with Mr Trump, said he is not "just an overrated general" but the "most overrated general".

Speaking at a gala dinner in New York, General Mattis said: "I'm honoured to be considered that by Donald Trump because he also called Meryl Streep an 'overrated actress'.

"So I guess I'm the Meryl Streep of generals, and frankly that sounds pretty good to me.

"You do have to admit that between me and Meryl, at least we've had some victories."

Mr Trump criticised his former Defense Secretary on Wednesday, during a White House meeting on the withdrawal of US troops in Syria.

Mr Trump said the military veteran "wasn't tough enough".

However, those comments led to Mr Mattis launching his own attack.

"I earned my spurs on the battlefield, and Donald Trump earned his spurs in a letter from a doctor," Mr Mattis said, in reference to the alleged bones spurs that kept the president out of military service during the Vietnam War.

Mr Mattis also claimed that the "only person in the military that Mr Trump doesn't think is overrated is... Colonel Sanders" - the face and founder of American fast-food chain KFC.