As the nation’s chief diplomat, Marco Rubio is accustomed to taking phone calls from counterparts, ministers and dignitaries at all times of day and night.
And sometimes, if dinner had already been taken in the far-off land and the caller had enjoyed ample refreshments, the calls might go in all sorts of different directions.
Apparently he is known at the White House for the way he recounts one particular dignitary’s slurred words and non-sequiturs.
“He would have the room in stitches as he described how they would have completely different conversations depending on the time of day when the call was being made,” said a source close to the White House.
The secretary of state has been in the spotlight for the past two weeks following the special forces raid to capture Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.
The result is a politician on the up, strengthening his position at the heart of the administration and cementing his place as a leading candidate to take up the Maga mantle in 2028, when Trump is term-barred.
Insiders say he has been a hit at the White House ever since being sworn in. His easygoing manner and ability to remember names of staff have made him one of the most popular Cabinet secretaries.
And then there is his humor.
“It’s his secret weapon,” said a former aide.
Those who remember his slightly wooden performances during his 2016 White House run say his time in the spotlight as senator and presidential candidate have seasoned him as a politician, giving him the confidence to lark around.
It was evident from day one. After being sworn in as Secretary of State, he paused during his speech to ask his audience to bear with him while he addressed family back home in Spanish.
He quickly described how only in America could the son of a refugee become Secretary of State, before turning to JD Vance, the Vice President, behind him and switching to English.
“I just said I saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico,” he deadpanned. “That’s what I said.”
Vance chuckled.
Moments like that are why insiders think Rubio might be the president’s favorite cabinet secretary, and his ability to talk football with Trump. During one Cabinet meeting he ended his remarks by urging the president to sign an executive order banning Saturday weddings during the college football season.
On Monday, he is travelling with the president to Miami for the the college football championship game. Another bro bonding opportunity.
He is certainly the funniest member of the cabinet, according to RFK Jr.
“One time Elon was talking about how there were 240,000 people that DOGE had found who were over 114 years old who were collecting unemployment,” he told Katie Miller’s podcast last week. “Marco said ‘Well, in their defense it’s hard getting a job after 114.”
For those keeping watch on 2028, it could be an advantage over Vance. The vice president remains the frontrunner for the nomination but his grasp of retail politics has occasionally triggered anxiety among allies.
READ MORE: THE ODD COUPLE – VANCE AND RUBIO STICK TOGETHER THROUGH 2028 SPECULATION
Mike Johnson’s warning to Britain
Mike Johnson makes a little bit of history on Tuesday when he becomes the first US Speaker of the House to address the British parliament.
Expect much celebrating of the “special relationship” and the United Kingdom’s, erm, central role in the events that led to the creation of the United States of America.
But it will come with a warning that Britain, like much of Europe, faces an existential crisis unless it does more to deal with immigration and to protect free speech rights.
Remember how Vance silenced his audience at the Munich Security Conference with his assault on the European leaders sitting in front of him? I do. I was there.
That won’t be Johnson’s style. He won’t stick his finger in their eye, I’m told, so much as deliver his warning with a hefty dose of southern charm, and suggestions about working together.
How’s that going in the House?
Secrets sourcing
Welcome back to Secrets after a brief hiatus when the legendary Paul Bedard finally got to put his feet up. I plan to keep some things the same and do some things differently.
I hope you will join me for the ride. Because I need you.
What did you find interesting today? What didn’t you like? Do you have a tip for me or did you just see something odd that might make a few paragraphs in Washington Secrets. You can email me at [email protected]
What I read
How Marco Rubio Went from “Little Marco” to Trump’s Foreign-Policy Enabler – the inspiration for Secrets today. It was one of a number of deeply researched profiles that referenced Rubio’s humor. I thought that was worth digging into.
Trump has lurched to the populist Left with recent economic proposals – Trump has always defied political labels. Until, that is, he adopted his own MAGA or America First tags. He is still at it, borrowing ideas from wherever he can find them.
