The President of the United States, Donald Trump, once again turned the spotlight on Marco Rubio, his Secretary of State, by publicly praising him during the inaugural meeting of the newly created Peace Board in Washington D.C., an organization promoted by the White House that has sparked international controversy.
Amid comments about his team and recent diplomatic results, Trump made a joke that did not go unnoticed, claiming that he was "close" to firing Rubio, following the impact of his intervention at the Munich Security Conference, where the Cuban-American received a standing ovation.
" You really felt proud two days ago in Munich... so proud that I almost ended up with your job," Trump said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The president suggested that Rubio received so much praise that some wondered why Trump couldn't speak the same way, to which he responded in his usual style, "I do it, but I say it differently."
But the phrase that caught the most attention came later, when Trump issued a warning in a joking tone, making it clear who is in charge of his administration.
“Marco, don’t do it better than your boss, because if you do, you’re out of here,” he said, before adding that he actually wants his team to “do a great job.”
Rubio, on the rise following European acclaim
Trump's comments come just days after Rubio was received with applause and some of the audience standing at the Security Conference held in Germany, an unusual gesture towards an official of the Trump administration at a European forum.
The event marked a symbolic moment for Rubio, who delivered a speech filled with historical references and a message of "renewal" for the transatlantic alliance, although he also included criticisms of what he called the old global order, questioning policies on free trade, migration, and climate change.
Rubio argued that the United States does not seek to separate itself from Europe, but rather to "revitalize an old friendship," and spoke of an "inevitable new order" on the world stage.
In the auditorium, his message was received with interest and frequent applause, solidifying Rubio's image as one of the most prominent faces of U.S. foreign policy under Trump.
Trump had already mentioned him as a potential presidential candidate
This is not the first time that Trump has praised Rubio publicly. Just on Monday, during an exchange with journalists aboard Air Force One, the president was asked about whether he would support the Secretary of State as a presidential candidate in 2028.
Trump avoided making a commitment, but he did not close the door and made it clear that Rubio is on his radar.
"JD is fantastic and Marco is too. They are both fantastic. And I think Marco did an excellent job in Munich," he said.
The words fueled speculation about the political future of the Cuban-American, who has gained prominence within Trumpism and increasingly appears as a strong figure for the Republican succession, although Vice President JD Vance is still seen as the natural heir of the movement.
Filed under: