TRUMP Endorses Rubio For TOP Position

A man in a suit delivering a speech at a podium

When the President of the United States casually endorses his own Secretary of State as Cuba’s next leader through a social media repost, the line between internet memes and foreign policy signaling vanishes in the most dangerous way imaginable.

Story Snapshot

Trump reposted a Truth Social meme suggesting Marco Rubio become “president of Cuba” with the caption “Sounds good to me!”
The provocative post came immediately after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, killing Cuban security personnel
Trump simultaneously threatened to cut all Venezuelan oil and money flowing to Cuba unless Havana “makes a deal”
Media outlets clarified the Rubio suggestion has no basis in official U.S. policy and originated as an online joke

When Memes Meet Regime Change

The seemingly harmless post originated from “Cliff Smith,” a Truth Social user with fewer than 500 followers who shared “Marco Rubio will be president of Cuba” with a laughing emoji on January 8, 2026. Within days, Trump elevated this obscure meme to international headlines by adding his endorsement. The timing proved anything but coincidental.

Rubio himself has become an unwitting internet phenomenon due to his expanding portfolio of roles. The Secretary of State simultaneously serves as national security adviser and acting archivist, prompting AI-generated memes depicting him as the “Shah of Iran,” “president of Venezuela,” and even manager of Manchester United. Rubio has embraced the humor, joking on X that global events prevent him from pursuing Miami Dolphins leadership opportunities.

Trump Reposts Suggestion That Rubio Become Next Cuba Leader https://t.co/78h8MtLyzz via @BarronsOnline

— Patrick (@artistpatrick) January 11, 2026

Cuba in America’s Crosshairs

The meme gained serious undertones because it followed a U.S. special forces operation in Caracas that captured Maduro and resulted in deaths among Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel. Cuba’s deep involvement in Venezuela’s security apparatus suddenly became a liability when American forces targeted the regime. The presence of Cuban personnel among the casualties highlighted Havana’s vulnerability.

Trump’s parallel warning to Cuba proved far more consequential than his Rubio endorsement. “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO,” he declared, urging Cuban leadership to “make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” This threat targets Cuba’s economic lifeline, as Venezuela has provided crucial oil subsidies and financial support for decades in exchange for Cuban medical and security assistance.

The Dangerous Blur Between Jokes and Policy

Foreign policy experts worry about the implications when presidential social media activity transforms random internet content into international talking points. Trump’s casual amplification of the Rubio meme demonstrates how quickly online jokes can be misinterpreted as official signals, especially by adversarial governments already suspicious of American intentions toward regime change.

The incident reflects broader concerns about diplomatic communication in the social media age. Traditional distinctions between official statements and casual commentary have eroded, creating confusion among allies and enemies alike about America’s true intentions. When the commander-in-chief reposts regime change suggestions, even jokingly, foreign governments must assume the worst about American planning.

Strategic Implications for the Americas

Rubio’s Cuban heritage and hardline stance toward Havana give the meme unusual symbolic power. As the son of Cuban immigrants and a longtime advocate for democratic change in Cuba, Rubio represents exactly the kind of leader Cuban-Americans might dream of seeing in Havana. His elevated profile in the Trump administration only amplifies these perceptions.

The broader Latin American region watches nervously as the United States demonstrates unprecedented willingness to conduct operations against sitting presidents. Maduro’s capture sends shockwaves through governments that have long worried about American intervention in their internal affairs. Trump’s casual endorsement of installing his own officials as foreign leaders, even as a joke, reinforces these fears about American imperial ambitions.