President-elect Donald Trump made a brief statement to media in between meetings at his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, saying he met with "a lot of great talent."

The meetings come as Trump is starting to appoint top administration officials.

Earlier, the President-elect Donald Trump met with retired Gen. James Mattis, calling him "the real deal."

Mattis is considered a contender to lead the Pentagon. He was one of a series of people who met with Trump Saturday at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump wouldn't say if he was offering Mattis a job, saying "we'll see." But he called Mattis a "brilliant wonderful man" and said "what a career."

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

1. Retired Marine General James Mattis walking up and shaking hands with President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, posing with Trump and Pence for photos before walking inside to meet; UPSOUND (English) Donald Trump, President-elect:

"Great man."

2. Trump and Mattis walking out after meeting and shaking hands; UPSOUND (English) reporter: "Mr. President-elect, will choose General Mattis as the Sec Def (Secretary of Defense)"

Trump: "All I can say is, he is the real deal. he is the real deal."

Reporter: "Will he have a place in your administration?"

Trump: "We'll see."

Reporter: "What stood out to you in your conversation with General Mattis?"

Trump: "He's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career, and we're going to see what happens, but he is the real deal. Thank you everybody."

3. American flag outside of building

4. Trump shaking hands with Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, after meeting

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President-elect:

"A lot of talent. We have a lot of talent. (Reporter: "Do you think that he (Todd Ricketts) will be appointed to a position? What are your thoughts?") We're going to see, but we have a lot of great talent. Thank you."

++CONTINUOUS SHOT++

6. Trump walks back inside building

7. Front door of building

US President-elect Donald Trump told reporters he met with "a lot of great talent" on Saturday while holding meetings at his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The meetings come as Trump starts to appoint top administration officials.

Earlier, Trump met with retired Gen. James Mattis, calling him "the real deal".

Mattis is considered a contender to lead the Pentagon.

Trump wouldn't say if he was offering Mattis a job, saying "we'll see".

But he called Mattis a "brilliant wonderful man" and said "what a career".

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

1. Retired Marine General James Mattis walking up and shaking hands with US President-elect Donald Trump and US Vice President-elect Mike Pence, posing for photos then walking inside, UPSOUND (English) Donald Trump, US President-elect:

"Great man."

2. Trump and Mattis walking out after meeting and shaking hands; UPSOUND (English) Reporter (off-camera): "Mr. President-elect, will you choose General Mattis as the Sec Def (Secretary of Defense)?"

Trump: "All I can say is, he is the real deal. He is the real deal."

(Reporter: Will he have a place in your administration?)

Trump: "We'll see."

(Reporter: What stood out to you in your conversation with General Mattis?)

Trump: "He's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career, and we're going to see what happens, but he is the real deal. Thank you everybody."

3. Trump walking inside ++CONTINUES FROM PREVIOUS SHOT++

4. US flag

5. Trump shaking hands with Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, after meeting

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President-elect:

"A lot of talent. We have a lot of talent.

(Reporter: Do you think that he (Todd Ricketts) will be appointed to a position? What are your thoughts?)

Trump: "We're going to see, but we have a lot of great talent. Thank you."

7. Trump walking back inside building ++CONTINUES FROM PREVIOUS SHOT++

8. Front door of building

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus067259

President-elect Donald Trump made a brief statement to media in between meetings at his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, saying he met with "a lot of great talent."

The meetings come as Trump is starting to appoint top administration officials.

Earlier, the President-elect Donald Trump met with retired Gen. James Mattis, calling him "the real deal."

Mattis is considered a contender to lead the Pentagon. He was one of a series of people who met with Trump Saturday at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump wouldn't say if he was offering Mattis a job, saying "we'll see." But he called Mattis a "brilliant wonderful man" and said "what a career."

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

1. Trump and Mattis walking out after meeting and shaking hands; UPSOUND (English) reporter: "Mr. President-elect, will choose General Mattis as the Sec Def (Secretary of Defense)"

Trump: "All I can say is, he is the real deal. he is the real deal."

Reporter: "Will he have a place in your administration?"

Trump: "We'll see."

Reporter: "What stood out to you in your conversation with General Mattis?"

Trump: "He's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career, and we're going to see what happens, but he is the real deal. Thank you everybody."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President-elect:

"A lot of talent. We have a lot of talent. (Reporter: "Do you think that he (Todd Ricketts) will be appointed to a position? What are your thoughts?") We're going to see, but we have a lot of great talent. Thank you."

++CONTINUOUS SHOT++

3. Trump walks back inside building