Florida Politician Marco Rubio Gain Infamy for Comment on Donald Trump’s Hands Size
Florida Senator Marco Rubio is poised to make history as the first Latino to hold the position of US Secretary of State, the country’s top diplomat.
Rubio previously taunted Donald Trump for his “small hands” and criticized his foreign policy experience. However, he now seems set to serve in one of the most crucial roles in the new administration.
The 53-year-old has advocated for a tough approach to China and Iran, but has opposed additional funding for Ukraine in its conflict against Russian aggression.
So, who is the senator from the Sunshine State who is expected to become the primary representative of the US globally?
An ‘historic’ appointment
Mr Rubio was born in 1971 to Cuban parents who immigrated to America a couple of years before the Cuban Revolution. While some have claimed they arrived after the revolution to enhance his image, neither of his parents were US citizens when he was born. They later applied and were naturalized a few years after his birth.
Mr Rubio’s anticipated selection as the US Secretary of State would mark him as the first Latino to hold the position. This appointment follows Mr Trump’s resounding election victory, during which he garnered considerable support from America’s Hispanic population.
If confirmed, Mr Rubio is expected to prioritize Latin America more than any of his predecessors, according to Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Rubio ally and ex-National Security Council aide.
“This is a historic moment where Latin America will feature prominently in any US presidential history. There’s no better way to put it,” stated Mr Claver-Carone.
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From collaborating with Democrats to ‘severe conservative’
Mr Rubio was elected to Florida’s state house of representatives in the 1990s and later served as Speaker.
Initially branded as somewhat of a centrist who collaborated with Democrats, his tenure as Speaker witnessed a shift towards a more conservative stance on various issues.
“I believe Marco is a strong conservative, leaning far to the right, but possibly the most skilled advocate the far right could have wished for,” remarked Dan Gelber, the leader of the Florida House Democrats during Mr Rubio’s time as Speaker.
In a notable move, he gave a speech where he asked his fellow representatives to look under their desks, unveiling a blank book titled ‘100 Innovative Ideas For Florida’s Future’. Rubio mentioned they would fill it out together with the people of Florida.
He proceeded to travel around the state engaging with the public and subsequently published the book, with 24 of the proposed ideas passing into law.
‘Little Marco’ Rubio vs. ‘Small hands’ Trump
Following his tenure as Florida House Speaker, Mr Rubio’s prominence increased as he was elected Senator for the state.
In 2012, he endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination, and in 2016, he entered the race himself, positioning himself against future President Donald Trump.
During a rally in Dallas in February 2016, Mr Rubio spent around 10 minutes lambasting Mr Trump, who famously referred to him as “little Marco” during the campaign.
“A tough guy?” Mr Rubio mocked. “This guy inherited $200m. He’s never faced any struggle.”
He also made a poke at Mr Trump’s “small hands”.
Mr Rubio ultimately endorsed Mr Trump for the 2016 nomination, displaying a closer alignment with the president-elect in recent years.
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The incoming Trump administration will confront a more perilous and tumultuous world compared to when Mr Trump assumed office in 2017.
Conflicts persist in Gaza and Ukraine, and America’s adversaries have grown bolder and more coordinated.
In the past, Mr Rubio has advocated for a robust, ‘hawkish’ foreign policy towards America’s geopolitical adversaries such as China, Iran, and Cuba.
In 2020, China sanctioned Mr Rubio over his stance on Hong Kong during pro-democracy protests.
During Mr Trump’s first term, Mr Rubio co-sponsored legislation to make it more challenging for the president to withdraw from NATO by necessitating two-thirds of the Senate to ratify withdrawal.
Nonetheless, most of the president-elect’s allies espouse caution, especially in Europe, where many Republicans argue that US allies are not contributing adequately to defense expenditures.
In recent interviews, Mr Rubio has suggested that Ukraine should concentrate on negotiating peace instead of reclaiming territory.
He voted against President Joe Biden’s $95 billion (£74 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, which was eventually passed in April.