Shortly after news broke that Donald Trump was set to announce Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, some of the most MAGA-minded online warriors hastened to question the choice — both Rubio’s America First credentials and whether Trump made the decision.
Despite major news sites claiming that the choice had been made, Ric Grenell’s backers on Tuesday insisted that Rubio was not a done deal, according to two people campaigning for his appointment as secretary of state.
“We are still waiting for President Trump and the campaign leadership to make their official decision,” said one Grenell ally on Tuesday morning, who requested anonymity to speak freely about the situation. “What we have been hearing is that no decision has been made.”
Trump’s spokespeople have not confirmed the nomination and did not reply to a request for comment.
The insider stated that Grenell’s group was “operating under that context” — that Trump’s mind isn’t entirely made up in favor of Rubio — until they heard official word otherwise.
Later Tuesday morning, Grenell responded to a post about the decision not being final and his allies not abandoning the fight, stating, “BS. Put an end to your complaining. “Not true,” he said, indicating that he, too, has accepted Trump’s alleged decision. He did not immediately return a request for comment.
Grenell was Trump’s former national intelligence director, ambassador to Germany, and special presidential envoy for peace talks in Serbia and Kosovo. Despite having close relationships with Trump’s family members, notably Melania Trump and Jared Kushner, he has been a divisive presence in Trump circles.
Grenell held Log Cabin Republicans fundraisers with Melania Trump, who was paid six figures to participate at the gay conservative organization’s events, and he is involved in Kushner’s ambitions to build a luxury hotel in the Balkans.
Some close to Trump were upset that Grenell appeared to be actively advocating for the position of secretary of State, which is a major no-no in Trump circles. Some in Trump circles noted that Grenell sat next to Trump during a September meeting in New York with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Grenell’s criticisms have also reminded those involved in the transition of his prickly attitude, which has irritated some top Trump advisers, according to people familiar with the exchanges.
However, while Grenell’s enemies regarded him as self-serving, several top MAGA figures saw him as a steadfast supporter advancing Trump’s America First agenda. Even after nearly every major news source exposed the former president’s plans to select Rubio, they remained optimistic that he would be installed. The New York Times was the first to report about Trump’s State Department selection.
Just before 11 p.m. on Monday in Palm Beach, famous Republican activist Charlie Kirk sent a veiled message to his four million followers, advising them not to believe all they’re hearing about the cabinet.
“People, a word of wisdom. Kirk wrote, “If Trump has not confirmed it on Truth [Social], don’t jump to conclusions and don’t believe everything you see.”
Elon Musk, a major Trump ally who was seen spending time with Kirk in Palm Beach over the weekend, responded with a “Office Space” cartoon mocking people who jump to conclusions.
“Apparently there hasn’t been an SOS pick yet FYSA [for your situational awareness],” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) tweeted late Monday on X, hours after Rubio’s decision was announced.
The Hill reported on Monday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has permitted to advise on the formation of his second cabinet, had “expressed opposition” to Rubio playing a prominent foreign policy role. Some Trump supporters have attacked Rubio for being overly hawkish.
The news of Rubio’s nomination for secretary of state appears to be a blow for Grenell, given that two other high-profile foreign policy positions were filled on Monday: Rep. Mike Waltz for national security advisor and Rep. Elise Stefanik for ambassador to the United Nations.
Rubio’s criticism from online MAGA influencers continued into Tuesday morning, despite the fact that Trump had yet to publicly announce his selection.
“Why are people inside Mar-a-Lago leaking Trump’s possible cabinet picks to the media?” Laura Loomer, a huge Trump devotee, posted on X Tuesday. “It’s not a good sign that things have already leaked. People should respect President Trump’s privacy and that of the transition team.”
According to conservative comic Dave Smith, Rubio is “a disaster.”
“Might as well give Liz Cheney the State Department,” Smith said in an essay. “Awful sign.”
“Rubio? Was Hillary unavailable? wrote another far-right influencer.
Other MAGA supporters retweeted past Trump Twitter postings against Rubio, including one from the 2016 primary in which Trump described him as a “perfect little puppet” for late donor Sheldon Adelson, as well as a “total lightweight” and “overrated politician.”
