Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s profile has notably risen, thanks to President Trump’s recent Middle East peace agreement, reinforcing his role as an influential figure and a potential 2028 presidential contender.
During a celebration of the peace deal, President Trump highlighted several administration officials, but he specifically praised Rubio in both the Israeli parliament and while speaking to leaders in Egypt.
Trump expressed confidence, stating, “I predict that Marco will go down as the greatest Secretary of State in American history, and I believe that.” He reminisced about their tough negotiations, saying, “Who would have thought something like this would happen, Marco?”
This kind of endorsement, combined with Rubio’s broad experience and appeal to both MAGA supporters and more traditional Republicans, has put the focus on the Florida GOP as we look toward the upcoming 2028 primaries.
According to Matt Terrill, who was Rubio’s chief of staff during the 2016 campaign, “The reality is that President Trump is in control of the Republican Party right now. People around him are trying to bask in this MAGA glow.” He emphasized that this scenario is unlikely to shift anytime soon.
Rubio played a pivotal role in negotiating a peace agreement that not only halted violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza but also secured the release of Israeli hostages who had been held for nearly two years.
Last month, Rubio visited Israel and Qatar following an Israeli military operation that, while upsetting for Trump, became a crucial moment that pushed Israel towards agreeing to a ceasefire.
At a recent White House gathering, Rubio was late but delivered an important memo to Trump, indicating that a deal to end the Gaza conflict was close.
He was later present with senior officials in Israel and Egypt on Monday to solidify the peace agreement, which is still developing.
After his visit to the Middle East, Rubio shared on social media, “Some people serve in public office their entire lives and never experience a day like today.” He noted that history would eventually detail how this moment came to be, but stressed that it wouldn’t have happened without Trump’s “extraordinary actions.”
Rubio’s role in Middle East negotiations is just one item on a busy agenda over the last nine months. His first official trip included stops in Panama, where Trump has faced scrutiny over the Panama Canal, and in El Salvador, a crucial ally for deportation efforts.
In February, he was part of the initial U.S.-Russia discussion regarding the stalled Ukraine conflict.
Despite some lighthearted comments about his multiple roles—serving as Secretary of State, interim national security adviser, and acting U.S. archivist—it’s clear that Rubio is now firmly within Trump’s inner circle.
According to Terrill, the growing trust between Trump and Rubio stems from their collaboration during Trump’s first term on various policy matters.
The dynamic between the two has shifted dramatically since their rivalry in the 2016 Republican primary, where Trump famously mocked Rubio as “Little Marco.” Now, Rubio has effectively pivoted from being a critic to a key ally.
This evolution sparks ongoing discussions about Rubio’s political future, especially since he’ll only be 57 in 2028.
Earlier this year, Trump suggested that Vice President Vance seemed poised as the most likely successor for the Republican nomination in 2028, but he also mentioned Rubio as a notable contender.
Both Vance and Rubio have a personal rapport, though Vance has dodged questions about his political aspirations, focusing instead on his current role.
People close to the administration view both as strong candidates to follow in Trump’s footsteps. “Unless something goes really wrong in the midterms, it’s either Vance-Rubio or Rubio-Vance,” remarked one insider.
