President Donald Trump publicly singled out Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his address to Congress on Tuesday, joking that Rubio would be the one "to blame if anything goes wrong" in handling foreign policy, particularly regarding the Panama Canal. The remark drew laughter from some in the chamber but quickly went viral as Rubio's reaction was scrutinized online.
"The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others. But others could use it," Trump said. "It was given away by the Carter administration for one dollar. But that agreement has been violated very severely. We didn't give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back." He then added, "And we have Marco Rubio in charge. Good luck, Marco. Now we know who to blame if anything goes wrong."
Rubio, who was seated prominently during the address, appeared momentarily surprised by the comment but later responded positively. Following the speech, he posted on X that Trump's remarks were "inspiring" and "momentous," adding, "His address tonight laid out exactly how he is keeping those promises with a vision of peace through strength, and a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States."
Trump followed up his remarks by offering praise for Rubio's work at the State Department. "Marco's been amazing, and he's going to do a great job," Trump said. "Think of it, he got 100 votes. You know he was approved with actually 99, but the 100th was this gentleman, and I feel very certain, so let's assume he got a hundred votes, and I'm either very happy about it or very concerned about it," he quipped. The Senate had confirmed Rubio unanimously, with a 99-0 vote.
The exchange comes amid speculation about Rubio's standing within the administration. Hours before Trump's speech, a Vanity Fair report cited sources close to the White House who claimed Rubio was frustrated by his limited influence on foreign policy decisions. According to the report, Rubio was caught off guard when Trump selected nine foreign policy envoys without his input. Additionally, the former senator reportedly did not approve of Trump's decision to revoke former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's government security detail.
A State Department spokesperson, when asked about Rubio's reported frustrations, referred the media to official readouts from his meetings and public remarks.
Foreign policy has become an increasingly contentious issue within the administration, particularly in light of Trump's recent falling out with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the administration's new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Rubio's role in these high-profile international developments has yet to be fully clarified, and Trump's remarks, while partly in jest, highlighted the scrutiny surrounding the secretary of state's position.
The moment was not the first time Rubio's body language has drawn attention in the Trump era. Last week, images of Rubio appearing uncomfortable during an Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as they pressed Zelensky over peace talks, became widely circulated online. The latest public exchange with Trump further fueled speculation about the dynamics between the two high-profile Republicans.
Despite any reported tensions, Rubio remains outwardly supportive of the administration's foreign policy direction. In a recent statement, he reiterated his commitment to advancing Trump's diplomatic agenda, particularly as the White House shifts focus toward renegotiating trade deals and reshaping alliances. However, the extent of his influence in shaping those policies remains unclear.
