Image by Getty

By Thea Glassman February 22, 2017

Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, President Trump’s pick for national security adviser, once paid an unexpected homage to George Costanza.

Jake Tapper unearthed a clip of McMaster making a Seinfeld reference while discussing military strategy back in 2015.

“The time that Lt Gen McMaster compared Rapid Decisive Operations to George Costanza leaving on a high note,” Tapper tweeted.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The time that Lt Gen McMaster compared Rapid Decisive Operations to George Costanza leaving on a high note https://t.co/f0NcKAROEE

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 21, 2017

In the clip, McMaster explained a military strategy in terms of a classic George Costanza move: always “leav[ing] on a high note.”

For those of you who aren’t diehard Seinfeld fans, he’s referring to the show’s episode “The Burning,” when George learns to always leave the room after he’s made a particularly good zinger.

The mention wasn’t lost on Jason Alexander, who took to Twitter to address McMaster’s shout-out.

“Yes, I’m so proud….. dear God 🙁 ,” Alexander wrote.

Yes, I”m so proud….. dear God 🙁 https://t.co/XCDsra52Dz

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) February 21, 2017

After receiving flack from Trump supporters for his seemingly negative response, Alexander followed up with a clarifier.

“My comment intended no disrespect to Gen. McMaster, who seems a fine man,” Alexander wrote. “Just the weirdness of any leader quoting George.”

And lastly, my comment intended no disrespect to Gen. McMaster, who seems a fine man. Just the weirdness of any leader quoting “George”.

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) February 22, 2017

Thea Glassman is an Associate Editor at the Forward. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @theakglassman.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount