During the dinner for the presentation of the Medal of Honor from the Kennedy Center, held at the Department of State, President Donald Trump once again publicly highlighted the work of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, delivering a speech filled with praise and political reaffirmation.
The president, who has repeatedly praised the performance of the Cuban-American official for months, asserted that Rubio "will be remembered as the best Secretary of State in the history of the United States."
“We have had good secretaries of state, but also some very bad ones. Marco Rubio is a great secretary. If we continue like this, he will go down in history as the best our country has ever had. So, Marco, thank you very much,” Trump declared before an audience made up of awardees, diplomats, lawmakers, and high-ranking officials.
The comment prompted an ovation from those present, many of whom have witnessed the growing rapport between the two leaders after years of political rivalry.
From rivals to allies
During the 2016 Republican primaries, Trump and Rubio had intense clashes, but their political relationship took a notable turn over time.
In his speech before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, during the signing of the historic peace treaty between Israel and Hamas, the President of the United States surprised many by dedicating a series of praises to the Cuban-American official.
“He and I really went head to head. It was tough. But look where we are now. Marco is brilliant, sharp, and people respect him,” said the leader in front of Israeli leaders and international representatives.
In that same speech, Trump stated that Rubio "will be remembered as the best Secretary of State in the history of the United States," a phrase that he later reiterated at the dinner for the presentation of the Medal of Honor at the Kennedy Center, where he publicly thanked him again for his diplomatic efforts.
The statements consolidate a relationship of respect and collaboration that contrasts with the past rivalry between both, and project a message of unity within the Republican Party.
A trusted cabinet
During his speech at the Knesset, Trump also praised another of his close collaborators: Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, whom he described as “a true leader” and “better even than they expected.”
Those words, along with the repeated expressions of support for Rubio, reinforce the image of a cohesive and loyal cabinet aligned with the current administration's goals in foreign policy and defense.
Political analysts interpret this tone of acknowledgment as a strategy by Trump to demonstrate institutional strength and shared leadership, at a time when the United States aims to reaffirm its role as a global mediator after years of diplomatic tensions.
Filed under:
