Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed reports suggesting he is considering leaving the Trump administration to prepare for a potential 2028 presidential bid, stating his intention to remain in his current role. The remarks come in the wake of the Republican Party's performance in recent midterm elections.
Rubio told The New York Times that his plan has "always been" to work for President Trump for the duration of his second term. He characterized the reports of his potential departure as originating from unknown sources and expressed his dedication to his current duties. "I love the work I’m doing," Rubio stated, adding, "And plus I always laugh when they say he’s going to leave his job. I go, ‘Which one?’"
The White House and State Department have echoed Rubio's statements. White House spokesperson Beni Rae Harmony called the reports "fake news" and a "fabricated hoax," emphasizing Rubio's role as a "fearless fighter for President Trump and the MAGA movement."
However, other reports suggest a different narrative. Bloomberg News reported that Rubio had discussed stepping down with White House officials and was exploring future options. The Independent cited GOP sources and UK government figures who view Rubio as a leading candidate to succeed President Trump and speculated he might resign to "distance himself from the Iran war." Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson refuted these claims as "completely baseless fake news from made-up anonymous ‘sources.’"
Despite denials, Rubio is widely seen as a potential contender for future presidential elections. A senior administration official told The Post that Rubio's initial plan was to serve all four years of the Trump administration, with some suggesting he is committed to seeing his foreign policy goals, particularly concerning Cuba, through to completion.
Speculation about Rubio's 2028 ambitions intensified following the midterm elections, with some suggesting that the results have put Vice President JD Vance's own prospects in a difficult position and bolstered calls for Rubio to enter the race. GOP donors noted that Vance, as the Republican National Committee's finance chair, can raise campaign funds while in his current role, whereas Rubio, as Secretary of State, faces restrictions. "I guarantee you, the moment Marco would say, ‘I’m going to resign and I want to run,’ he’ll raise so much money it would make your head spin," one Florida GOP source commented.
Rubio declined to answer direct questions about his 2028 plans in his interview with The New York Times, stating, "I literally will not talk about 2028 anymore. I just won’t do it."
Rubio is scheduled to deliver a major speech following the midterms at the Federalist Society's National Lawyers Convention in Washington, D.C.