Yes, you read that right.
Born and reared in Miami to Cuban parents, Rubio served for nearly a decade as a Republican state legislator before taking his game from the Sunshine State to Congress in 2011. He has been a right-wing constant ever since, earning a zero out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard in 2022 thanks to his stalwart anti-LGBTQ and anti-choice voting record.
Despite his national profile and influence in Florida, Rubio was once the subject of relentless ridicule from the man who might be his new boss.
Back in 2016, when the two men dueled on the debate stage for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump famously dubbed the five-foot-ten-inch legislator "Little Marco."
Yet, politics makes strange bedfellows, and now Trump is said to be prepared to elevate Rubio to one of the executive branch's highest positions. The nomination would mark a stunning shift from the insults Trump hurled Rubio's way on a near-daily basis.
So, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit all the times Trump skewered Rubio, sparing no jab in his quest to dominate the GOP.
1. "Little Marco"
Trump seemed to have a penchant for belittling Rubio — literally. The nickname "Little Marco" stuck like super glue as Trump often tried to cast him as small, insignificant, and unsuitable for the big leagues. Trump used it every chance he got, especially when he needed a punchline during rallies or debates on the 2016 campaign trail. Nothing says "prime candidate for secretary of state" like repeatedly calling a senator "little," right? Then again, this one earns the top spot for a reason: Rubio hit back at Trump below the belt. (We all know what they say about men with small hands.)Little Marco Rubio, the lightweight no show Senator from Florida, is set to be the "puppet" of the special interest Koch brothers. WATCH!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016
2. "Lightweight"
If Trump wasn't calling him "Little Marco," he was labeling Rubio a "lightweight." In Trump's estimation, the sitting U.S. senator was practically invisible in Washington, a guy who couldn't handle the pressure. "Marco Rubio is a total lightweight who I wouldn't hire to run one of my smaller companies — a highly overrated politician!" Trump tweeted early on. Perhaps Trump now sees something diplomatic in that "lightweight" quality — after all, who better to send across the world than someone he once dismissed as unfit even to run one of his smaller businesses?Marco Rubio is a total lightweight who I wouldn’t hire to run one of my smaller companies - a highly overrated politician!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2015
3. "Choker"
Speaking of pressure, Trump called Rubio a "choker" after a February 2016 debate, going so far as to say, "Lightweight choker Marco Rubio looks like a little boy on stage. Not presidential material!" Diplomacy requires a cool head, but Trump apparently isn't letting a little thing like consistency get in the way.Lightweight choker Marco Rubio looks like a little boy on stage. Not presidential material!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2016
4. "Mr. Meltdown"
Trump liked to mix things up, pivoting from "choker" to "Mr. Meltdown" in order to rub Rubio's nose in his debate defeats. Then again, a Trump secretary of state with a "Mr. Meltdown" reputation is kinda on-brand for the once and future president if you stop to think about it.Lightweight Marco Rubio was working hard last night. The problem is, he is a choker, and once a choker, always a choker! Mr. Meltdown.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2016
5."Totally Owned"
In Trump's eyes, Rubio was just another politician "totally owned" by lobbyists. During the 2016 primaries, Trump painted Rubio as a puppet for special interests and big donors, accusing him of being more "Washington establishment" than a man of the people. Perhaps Trump thinks the puppet strings have fallen off. Or maybe he's just looking forward to being the one pulling them.Rubio is totally owned by the lobbyists and special interests. A lightweight senator with the worst voting record in Senate. Lazy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2015
6. "Sweating Profusely"
In April 2015, after Rubio announced his presidential bid outside the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami, Trump needled him "sweating profusely." The sweat jibe would be a recurring theme for Trump as the campaign wore on.Marco Rubio should pick a location that has working air conditioning next time - especially when in Miami - proper plan. Sweating profusely!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2015
7. "No-Show"
During the campaign, Trump skewered Rubio's voting record, labeling him a "no-show" senator with the "worst voting record in the Senate." According to Trump, Rubio couldn't even show up to work, much less represent his constituents. From no-show to the front lines of American diplomacy. Go figure.Why would anyone in Florida vote for lightweight Senator Marco Rubio. Check out his credit card scam, his house sale & his no show voting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2016
8. "Dishonest"
Trump's disdain for Rubio extended beyond the U.S. Senate floor. He accused his opponent of being downright dishonest. "I will be using Facebook and Twitter to expose dishonest lightweight Senator Marco Rubio," he proclaimed in March of 2016. Again, though, on-brand?I will be using Facebook and Twitter to expose dishonest lightweight Senator Marco Rubio. A record no-show in Senate, he is scamming Florida
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 7, 2016
9. "Bought and Paid For"
A variation on totally owned (see No. 5)? Perhaps. Trump also suggested that Rubio was "bought and paid for" by his donors, reducing him to a mouthpiece for anyone willing to write a check. This was a favorite talking point of Trump during the 2016 primaries, yet he's now willing to elevate the senator to a major role on the international stage. Then again...on-brand?Please remember, I am the ONLY candidate who is self-funding his campaign. Kasich, Rubio and Cruz are all bought and paid for by lobbyists!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2016
10. "Robot Rubio"
Ah, the "Robot Rubio" dig. Trump mockingly suggested that Rubio was little more than a talking-point machine, empty of original thought or genuine conviction. Somehow, "Robot Rubio" has evolved from an insult to a potential secretary of state. Maybe Trump decided that having a "robot" in the role wouldn't be so bad. He is pals with Elon Musk, after all.Little Marco Rubio is just another Washington D.C. politician that is all talk and no action. #RobotRubio pic.twitter.com/HJWJeoZn4o
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016
