President Donald Trump has a knack for transforming adversaries into allies, and that’s precisely what he did with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Back in 2016, during his presidential run, Florida Senator Marco Rubio was one of 17 candidates competing against Trump. In a February 2016 event in Georgia, he labeled Trump a “con man” and vowed to do everything possible to prevent him from gaining access to the U.S. nuclear codes.
He even made comparisons, likening Trump to “strongmen of the Third World,” emphasizing the need to question why so many in the media and public were swayed to support Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibs3efggbms
Fast forward to 2025, and rumors started swirling about Rubio potentially taking on the role of Secretary of State under Trump. People wondered, “How could Trump trust someone who opposed him so vehemently during the primaries?” Yet, it appears many still underestimate Trump’s ability to turn rivals into friends, often leaving them in positions of significant influence. (Sign up for Mary Luke’s weekly newsletter!))
Since stepping into the new administration, Rubio has not only supported Trump’s policies but has also experienced a complete transformation in how he’s viewed by Republican voters. No longer a critic, he’s now a key player, committed to realizing the party’s goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jssoksdgyem
Not long after the Department of Efficiency commenced efforts to combat fraud and misuse at USAID, Trump appointed Rubio as the acting manager of the agency on February 3. Shortly thereafter, on February 7, Trump dismissed the archivist Colleen J. Shogan and gave Rubio an additional title: acting archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). (Rooke: If you’re looking for evidence that the media is ruining America, look no further.)
Typically, three positions would be enough for someone, but Trump seemed to want more from Rubio, who had proven to be a loyal supporter. After a scandal involving operational chats from top officials using messaging apps, former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was ousted, leading to Trump appointing him as the new UN ambassador.
This left the NSA role open again, and, unsurprisingly, Trump turned to Rubio once more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpxnafogaps
The role of Secretary of State is crucial in the federal government, and Rubio has also stepped into the role of Trump’s de facto national security adviser. This means he’s essentially become Trump’s go-to advisor on national security matters, guiding policies and coordinating decision-making on significant issues.
(Luke: Some universities are digging in; the Trump administration is sharpening its approach.)
Now, Rubio wears multiple hats, acting as Secretary of State, USAID’s representative administrator, acting U.S. archivist, and acting national security adviser. It’s striking to think that not long ago, he was calling Trump a fraud and now he’s one of the administration’s most pivotal figures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwd9qa7x7ns
Like many in the political arena, Rubio didn’t grasp why Trump resonated with voters back in 2016. He overlooked the shifting dynamics in Central America and failed to see that traditional politics in D.C. were fading. Many Americans were craving tighter borders, economic growth, and a renewed sense of the American dream.
However, under the multitude of responsibilities Trump assigned him, Rubio seems to have come to terms with this shift, perhaps even embracing it himself.
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