A decade-old video clip of Marco Rubio has resurfaced on social media, revealing starkly different sentiments from the now-Secretary of State toward his current boss, President Donald Trump. In the footage from 2016, Rubio, then a GOP presidential candidate, passionately vowed to prevent Trump from taking over the Republican Party.
Rubio's Fiery 2016 Remarks
During a campaign stop in Oklahoma City, Rubio declared, "I will never stop until we keep a con man from taking over the party of Reagan and the conservative movement." This statement came just days after he and fellow candidate Sen. Ted Cruz launched a coordinated attack on Trump during a debate, aiming to dethrone him from his leading position in the primary race.
Rubio elaborated on his criticism, addressing voter frustrations. "People are angry and frustrated and scared about the future, OK? People are working harder than they’ve ever worked in their lives and they’re running in place," he said. He accused Trump of exploiting these emotions, claiming, "He’s taking advantage of that ... He’s telling people, ‘I’m going to fight for the little guy, I’m fighting for the working class.’ Here’s what he doesn’t tell them: He has spent a career in business, 50 years, sticking it to the little guy."
Additional Allegations and Contradictions
The resurfaced clip further includes Rubio highlighting several controversies surrounding Trump:
- Allegations that Trump's companies owed subcontractors tens of millions of dollars.
- Contradictions in Trump's "America First" claims, particularly regarding immigration.
- Reports that Trump Tower was partially built by undocumented Polish immigrants, despite Trump's tough stance on illegal immigration.
From Rival to Ally
Despite his fierce opposition, Rubio ultimately lost to Trump in the primaries. He later endorsed Trump ahead of the November 2016 election, supported him again in 2020, and backed his 2024 campaign before being appointed as Secretary of State. This political journey marks a significant reversal from his earlier stance.
Social Media Reactions
The video, shared by the X account Republicans Against Trump, sparked widespread reactions online:
- Many users pointed out the irony, with one noting, "Spoiler alert: He stopped."
- Others criticized Rubio's change in position, calling it "shameful" and questioning his integrity.
- Some comments highlighted the transient nature of political promises, with one user stating, "Turns out ‘never’ in politics means ‘until it becomes inconvenient.’"
- International observers also weighed in, discussing the dynamics of the MAGA movement and its impact on political figures.
The resurfaced clip serves as a poignant reminder of the volatile nature of political alliances and the evolution of roles within the GOP over the past decade.
