During a Republican rally in Salina, Kansas, on Sunday, November 1st, President Donald Trump humorously suggested he might need to fire Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to his rising popularity. This playful remark came just two days before the November 3rd midterm elections.
"Oh, look who's here! Marco Rubio. Can you believe it? He's becoming a bit too popular. I'm not happy about this," Trump quipped to the crowd.
Trump then invited Rubio to join him on stage: "Marco, come up here for a moment and say hello. People are thrilled about this man."
As Rubio approached, Trump continued the joke with a grin: "Look at him. He's getting a bit too popular. I don't like it, I don't like it. If he gets any more popular, I'm going to have to say: 'You're fired!'"
This moment was captured in a video shared by Clash Report on X. The phrase "You're fired" is famously associated with Trump from his days hosting the TV show "The Apprentice."
Playful Banter Amidst Campaigning
This lighthearted exchange occurred during one of Trump's final appearances before the November 3rd elections. In Kansas, he campaigned for Republican candidates, including Senator Roger Marshall and gubernatorial hopeful Ty Masterson.
Despite the jest about firing, there was no indication of any actual changes in the State Department. The comment was part of a series of public praises Trump has extended to Rubio throughout the year.
Rubio's Growing Popularity
Back in March, Trump had remarked that Rubio could be remembered as one of the best Secretaries of State in American history, although he also jokingly added, "I don't want him to become too popular."
More recently, on October 27th, Trump brought Rubio on stage during a Texas rally where the crowd chanted his name. On that occasion, Trump joked about sending Rubio to Cuba via parachute to resolve the island's issues.
Rubio's rising political profile has sparked discussions about the 2028 presidential race. In February, when asked about Rubio, Trump refrained from endorsing a 2028 candidate but offered praise for both the Secretary of State and Vice President JD Vance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Remarks on Marco Rubio
Why did Trump joke about firing Marco Rubio?
Trump's comment about firing Rubio was made in jest, highlighting Rubio's increasing popularity in a playful manner during a campaign rally.
Where did Trump make these remarks?
The remarks were made during a Republican rally in Salina, Kansas, on November 1st.
Did Trump announce any actual changes in the State Department?
No, Trump's comments were purely humorous and not indicative of any real changes within the State Department.