Former US defense secretary James Mattis said he was honoured to be the "world's most overrated general" in a swipe at his former boss Donald Trump who insulted him earlier this week.
At a gala charity dinner in New York Thursday evening, Mattis told diners he had now "achieved greatness."
"And you do have to admit that between me and Meryl, at least we've had some victories."
"And I think the only person in the military that Mr Trump doesn't think is overrated is Colonel Sanders."
"It was hard work but it wasn't until I started working in Washington DC that I realized how easy I had it overseas in a combat zone."
Referring to Trump's "Mad Dog" nickname for him, the general said he had "turned over a kinder, gentler leaf."
"I like to think of myself as less of a mad dog and more of an emotional support animal, and that's really great because the airlines let me fly for free."
A year on from leaving the administration, Mattis joked: "The recovery process is going well, the counselor says I'll graduate soon."
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