He’s taking a page from the “Maduromaxxing” playbook.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio became an internet sensation on Tuesday, spotted donning a Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One. This particular attire is renowned for being worn by the ousted Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro.
White House communications director Steven Cheung took to X to share the moment, posting an image of Rubio clad in a matching gray tracksuit as he traveled to China. “Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!” Cheung enthusiastically noted.
This fashion choice by Rubio harkens back to when Maduro was apprehended by US forces in early January, wearing the very same model of tracksuit.
Following the capture, President Trump circulated a photo depicting a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro sporting his Nike Tech sweats, creating a memorable image of the event.
The White House playfully referred to Rubio’s fashion statement as a “full circle moment,” and shared a video on X showing Rubio jesting about Maduro soon after the successful operation.
“If you don’t know, now you know,” the secretary of state said at the time.
The video included shots of Rubio and Maduro in their respective fits.
The top US diplomat’s wardrobe choice pleasantly shocked many on social media.
“Please tell me this is NOT AI,” podcaster Benny Johnson wrote on X.
“Please let this be real,” NewsNation host Katie Pavlich tweeted.
“There’s absolutely no way,” right-wing influencer Johnny Maga posted.
Other social media users quickly Photoshopped an uncomfortable-looking Rubio on the Oval Office couch in the Nike tracksuit – one the most widely-shared memes involving the secretary of state.
“Legend!” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said of Rubio.
A few X users took issue with the secretary of state choice of footwear, a pair of Adidas sneakers. “President Maduro wore Nike shoes, he didn’t mix Adidas / Nike. Point for Maduro,” one X user pointed out.
