Marco Rubio Embraces Viral Memes as Secretary of State and Trump 2028 Contender

Marco Rubio has taken the internet by storm. Users most often call him hilarious, turning him into a one-man meme factory with fake images of him in outfits tied to his many jobs.

Top officials usually go viral for embarrassing reasons. Rubio stands out because he leans into the joke. As secretary of state, he also serves as national security adviser and once acted as national archivist, acting head of the USAID program and de facto ruler of Venezuela.

He displays a sharp sense of humor. Online posts show him as a football coach, sailor, Viking, Eskimo, Canadian mountie, armed bandit, astronaut, medieval disciple and grime-covered plumber, each with funny captions.

The buzz peaked when Rubio briefed reporters while filling in for Karoline Leavitt, who had just given birth to a baby. He pretended to check a chart with red X's next to some names, then admitted he made it up. He called on a reporter in black and said, "you don’t have black, and you have blue on," adding that he is color blind. "This is chaos, guys… There’s no way I can figure out who to call on… Do they get two questions?... I’m wingin’ it, guys… Let’s go to the front, these guys are gonna get mad."

Online users compiled his witty remarks into clips that resemble a Netflix comedy special. He answered one question in Spanish. Rubio would be the first Latino president.

Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle said, "Rubio memes are the most delightful thing to hit modern politics in decades. The entire family can enjoy them, from your MAGA uncle to your #NeverTrump niece, from your ‘resistance lib’ cousin to your ‘abundance bro’ brother. For one shining moment, we can all glance at our phones and crack a whimsical smile together."

Newsweek ran the headline "Rubio Memes Conquer the Internet." The Miami New Times said "Marco Rubio’s Meme-Worthy Rise to the Center of Trump’s Second Term."

Rubio stays disciplined too. When discussing Iran, he addressed whether U.S. firing on Iranian ships amounted to an act of war. "These guys shut down the Strait of Hormuz… The only people who are allowed to go through there without paying 100% are the Iranians. If you do that, they’ll keep the Strait closed forever. It’s not an act of war, it’s a defensive measure. You know what is an act of war? Putting mines in the water… This is crazy stuff, but this is what they’ve done."

Many analysts, including some in Tehran, view the American attacks as an act of war. President Trump, backed by Rubio, said yesterday the Iranian ceasefire "is on life support… If you can believe it, how stupid. Are they stupid people? They didn't want to believe it. They think that, well, I'll get tired of this or I'll get bored, or I'll have some pressure. But there's no pressure. There's no pressure at all."

President Trump has asked advisers about JD Vance or Rubio for 2028. Vance, the vice president, leads as the front-runner, though he and his wife expect another baby. Rubio has said he won't run if Vance does. The two get along, and Trump wants Rubio as his running mate.

A reporter once asked Rubio about his 2016 plans. He denied thinking about it. During the campaign, he handled a crowd well and paused when a woman fainted to ensure she got help.

At a family wedding, Rubio worked behind the DJ booth as guests danced. A reporter asked about his DJ name. "You’re not ready for my DJ name," he replied with a grin.