By Charles Switzer
9:40am PST, Mar 5, 2025
Trump Puts Rubio on the Spot Over Panama Canal Remarks
During his Tuesday, March 4, speech to Congress, President
Donald Trump made headlines by publicly singling out Secretary of State
Marco Rubio, stating that he would be "to blame if anything goes wrong" regarding the administration's ambitions to reclaim the Panama Canal,
The Daily Beast reported.
Trump's comments, while delivered with a chuckle, highlighted for some his authoritative grip over his Cabinet members and came just days after Rubio's uncomfortable viral moment in the Oval Office as Trump and Vice President
J.D. Vance berated Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky.
The remark signaled a high-pressure expectation for Rubio, as Trump reaffirmed his stance that the canal was "built by Americans for Americans" and should not remain under Panama's control.
The Secretary's face said it all as the following reactions to the awkward moment unfolded.
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Rubio's Visible Reaction Sparks Online Buzz
As Trump dropped the unexpected line about Rubio, cameras quickly captured the Secretary of State's reaction — one that social media users found difficult to ignore. While Rubio maintained composure, his slightly stunned expression did not go unnoticed. Clips of his reaction began circulating on X, with many noting his moment of hesitation before he resumed his polite applause.
One person wrote, "Rubio rethinking every life decision in real time," while another said, "You can actually see the moment he realizes what he signed up for."
Despite the jab, Rubio later took to X to praise Trump's speech, calling it "inspiring" and a "momentous address that laid out a vision of peace through strength."
Trump's Bold Claim
In one of the most striking moments of the speech, Trump asserted that the United States was working to regain control of the Panama Canal — despite Panama's government stating that it is not for sale.
"The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans," Trump said. "It was given away by the
Carter administration for one dollar. That agreement has been violated severely, and we're taking it back."
The claim, which would carry significant diplomatic consequences, was met with applause from Trump's allies but raised alarms among foreign policy experts.
Social media exploded with both concern and satire, with one post reading: "Someone tell Trump this isn't Monopoly. You can't just say 'I'm taking it back.'"
Rubio Balances Flattery and Subtle Unease
Despite Trump's playful jab, Rubio quickly sought to project loyalty and alignment with the administration. His social media post following the speech was notably effusive in its praise, highlighting Trump's "clear mandate from the American people to renew the American Dream."
Still, critics pointed out the contrast between Rubio's forced smile in the moment and his glowing post afterward, which reminded some of the president's "intimidation" tactics against Cabinet members during his first term.
"You can't call something inspiring when you looked like you wanted to disappear five minutes earlier," one user joked. Others resurfaced Rubio's past criticisms of Trump from the 2016 election, suggesting that his transformation into a loyal Cabinet member had come full circle.
Public and Political Reactions to Trump's Remarks
Trump's statements about the Panama Canal and his direct pressure on Rubio sparked varied reactions across political circles. Some Republicans, including Senator
Lindsey Graham, backed the president's assertive foreign policy stance, while others, including foreign relations experts, warned against inflaming tensions with Panama and China.
Meanwhile, X users continued to have a field day with Rubio's predicament. "Marco Rubio is the kid in group projects who does all the work, but Trump still takes the credit," one post read.
Others compared his situation to past cabinet officials who had been publicly praised by Trump — right before being thrown under the bus.
