Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State and son of Cuban immigrants who fled the island in the 1950s, has risen to become the most influential figure in Donald Trump’s inner circle. He is also the favorite among major Republican donors for a potential presidential bid in 2028, according to an in-depth profile featured in the September cover story of Bloomberg Businessweek.
The profile of this Cuban-American diplomat unveils a politician who has traveled an unlikely path: from calling Trump "a con artist" and "the most vulgar person to ever run for the presidency" to becoming his most loyal lieutenant and the official who spends the most time weekly inside the White House.
Rubio is the first official since Henry Kissinger, under President Richard Nixon, to serve simultaneously as both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. This dual role grants him a desk in the West Wing of the White House and open-door access to the Oval Office, a critical advantage in wielding influence over someone as unpredictable as Trump.
The Cuban-American Angle
Rubio’s journey is inseparable from his Cuban-American roots. Growing up in Miami's exile community during the 1970s and 80s, he learned Spanish before English and dreamt of leading an army to overthrow the communist regime. In his law school admission essay, he wrote about using his education to help construct a new legal and political system for a free Cuba.
Today, he executes that vision from a position of power. He played a central role in planning the January 2026 military operation that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture, watching the operation unfold in real-time alongside Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Pressure on Cuba
Since then, Rubio has personally directed the maximum pressure campaign against the Cuban regime. As cited by Bloomberg, Rubio’s strategy toward Havana can be summed up succinctly: "Squeeze the regime until it dies."
Following Maduro's capture, Trump halted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and pressured Mexico through tariff threats to stop its own supplies to the island. The result has been an escalation of Cuba's energy crisis, with frequent blackouts that the UN warns could lead to a humanitarian emergency.
"If I were in Havana and part of the government, I’d be worried, at least a little," Rubio stated alongside Trump after the Venezuelan operation.
Looking Toward 2028
As for 2028, Bloomberg's profile paints Rubio as the most coveted candidate within Trump’s circle to succeed him in the White House, surpassing Vice President JD Vance. Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel and one of the Republican Party’s largest financiers—having contributed over $100 million in the 2024 campaign—indicated this summer that he would back Rubio over Vance.
At a White House dinner, Trump asked his guests, "Who wants JD Vance? Who wants Marco Rubio?" and remarked, "Seems like a good ticket," yet clarified it didn’t constitute an endorsement.
During a Maga Inc. fundraising event at Mar-a-Lago, nearly all attendees raised their hands for Rubio when Trump posed the same question.
"No one says it out loud, but behind closed doors, many back him as the favorite for 2028. It’s not against JD; it’s simply that Rubio is the best to carry the torch," a Trump ally told Bloomberg.
Rubio himself has publicly dismissed any immediate presidential ambitions. "I’m not talking about the presidency. I have two important jobs. They occupy all my time, seven days a week," he told Bloomberg Businessweek in a phone interview on September 11.
However, those close to the Secretary acknowledge that some in his circle have privately explored the optimal timing for a potential exit from the administration and suggested he might consider the private sector before deciding on his next political move.
Rubio categorically denies these claims: "Anyone who tells you that is simply lying. They’re making it up to stay relevant."
Marco Rubio's Influence and Future in U.S. Politics
What roles does Marco Rubio currently hold in the Trump administration?
Marco Rubio serves as both the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, a dual role not seen since Henry Kissinger under President Nixon.
How has Rubio's Cuban heritage influenced his political career?
Growing up in Miami's Cuban exile community, Rubio was shaped by his heritage, learning Spanish first and dreaming of liberating Cuba from communism, which has influenced his political pursuits and strategies.
Why is Marco Rubio considered a favorite for the 2028 presidential election?
Rubio is seen as the most desired candidate within Trump's circle due to his influence, political acumen, and support from major Republican donors like Ken Griffin.