Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the podium in Karoline Leavitt's absence to brief the media.
Fox News Fans Turn on Karoline Leavitt As Marco Rubio Steals the Spotlight
Marco Rubio stepped in to lead the White House press briefing as Karoline Leavitt began her maternity leave ahead of welcoming her second child. Following Rubio’s appearance at the podium on Tuesday, May 5, some Fox News viewers speculated online that the Secretary of State could be eyeing a bigger communications role within the administration.
28-year-old Karoline Leavitt began her maternity leave in April ahead of welcoming her second child, a daughter, with husband Nicholas Riccio. After Rubio stepped in at the podium during her absence, some viewers questioned whether the 54-year-old Secretary of State could eventually emerge as a successor to the youngest White House press secretary.
During the briefing, Rubio addressed President Donald Trump’s stance on the economy and tensions involving Iran. A glance at the internet suggests that some viewers were unsettled by how he handled repeated questions from reporters, particularly when he declined to go into detail on certain topics.
Recently, Fox News reported that Karoline Leavitt’s position would not be handled by a single replacement during her maternity leave. Instead, several political figures, including Vice President JD Vance, senior Trump officials, and possibly President Donald Trump himself, are expected to rotate briefing duties and speak to the media on behalf of the White House.
Rubio addressed critical updates regarding foreign policy and national security during the session.
'I'll Be Filling in For Karoline Today'
Taking the podium, the Secretary of State remarked, "Thank you for having me, I will be filling in for Karoline today." Many Fox News viewers, after tuning in to the presser, believed that Rubio was soft-launching a 2028 presidential run.
Rubio’s appearance has sparked lighthearted online rumors about a permanent job swap.
Reacting, one user said, "A slightly strange moment at the White House today: for over 50 minutes, Marco Rubio handled the daily briefing in place of Karoline Leavitt (on maternity leave)… and the atmosphere sometimes felt more like a classic presidential campaign than the usual Trump style." Another stressed, "He’ll put her out of job". A third chimed in, saying, "Between Karoline Leavitt and Little Marco Rubio, I'm not sure who is more of a worthless and irredeemable piece of lying s--t."
Rubio Was Questioned Over Video of Him Performing as DJ at Family Wedding
At the presser, Rubio was questioned regarding a video from a week ago, which showed him DJing at a family wedding, as per The Sun. A reporter said, "Many people want to know what your DJ name is?" To which, he said, "My DJ name? You’re not ready for my DJ name.”
Additionally, he also spoke on Cuba after he met with the US Southern Command, during which he took a photo shaking hands with a senior general in front of a map of the Caribbean island. When questioned about his meeting with senior military strategists, he refused to get into details and stressed that the map held little significance and wasn't a direct message. This comes amid Trump's threat of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba.
Rubio said, "Our ambassadors from the whole western hemisphere, I was addressing them and meeting the general just took command of SOUTHCOM and there happened to be a map of Cuba".
In recent months, President Trump has consistently praised Marco Rubio as the secretary has emerged as one of his closest allies and leading voices on foreign policy.