If you could take a time machine back to 2016, when both then-Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and real estate developer Donald Trump were both vying to be the Republican presidential nominee, you’d never imagine the two would be allies today. Trump called his rival “Little Marco,” while Rubio mocked Trump’s supposed small hands.
Fast forward to 2025, and Trump is president (for the second time) and Rubio is his enthusiastic and loyal secretary of state. On Friday night, in an interview on the Newsmax show “Finnerty” with host Rob Finnerty, the commander in chief had kind words for his former foe as he graded his Cabinet members:
“Born for this job. We had a really nasty campaign in the 2016 campaign … and yet I respected him. I thought he was a great debater. I thought he was very smart. … He’s just a great guy. And he did something else that’s amazing. He got, essentially, a hundred votes” in his Senate confirmation. …
“He was able to get along with everybody. He’s a very talented guy, Marco, and we’re really happy.”
Watch:
President Trump shares his top-of-mind thoughts on many of his cabinet and team members listed by @RobFinnertyUSA, including Linda McMahon, RFK Jr. and Kristi Noem. pic.twitter.com/PXTOxhCVgF
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 2, 2025
He had more to say on other topics in the interview, as our Becca Lower reported Friday:
DON’T MISS: Watch: Pres. Trump Puts to Bed the Swirling Media Speculation on Possible Pardons As Only He Can
Despite his good standing with his boss, Rubio on Sunday indicated that he was not focused on throwing his hat in the ring for the ’28 presidential race, citing JD Vance’s strong performance as vice president:
SEE: Marco Rubio Downplays ’28 Presidential Aspirations, Pulls for Someone Else Instead
The president was pleased with other members of his Cabinet as well, calling out Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, among others. He said he was happily surprised by McMahon because she’s not the loudest voice in the room:
“[She’s] great. And I’ll tell you a little bit surprising because, you know, Linda’s sort of a quiet person. … And you know what she’s really doing? It’s not just the Harvard stuff. The more important is that she’s bringing education back to the states. The states are going to take education. She’s done a great job.”
Bessent:
“Has a soothing way that’s unbelievable. … He’s got a great way about him and very highly respected.”
Bessent has been a pleasant surprise for me; I admit that I didn’t have him on my radar, but he’s been consistently kicking arse and taking names.
Mic Drop: Scott Bessent Delivers Glorious Four Word Response to Reporter When Asked About Investing
The president also praised Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (“she’s become a star”).
The takeaway? Unlike much of the infighting and backstabbing and constant leaking we saw in Trump’s first term, his new roster appears to be a mostly unified Cabinet filled with people who actually seem to want to enact the president’s agenda rather than work to covertly undermine it.
So far, their winning streak is unprecedented. If they can stay unified and keep working together as a team, they can keep delivering on their promises to make America great again. Keep it coming, guys.
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