Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Marco Rubio

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Marco Rubio.

Marco Rubio is an American politician, attorney, and diplomat who served as the 72nd United States Secretary of State since 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2025. He was a candidate in the 2016 Republican presidential primary elections. During his time as Secretary of State, he has also held acting positions such as National Security Advisor, Archivist of the United States, and Administrator of USAID.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1959: Rubio's Statements

In 1959, The Washington Post reported that Rubio's previous statements that his parents were forced to leave Cuba in 1959 (after Fidel Castro came to power) were falsehoods.

2001: Legislative Earmarks

In 2001, Marco Rubio requested legislative earmarks totaling about $145 million.

2002: Legislative Earmarks

In 2002, Marco Rubio requested legislative earmarks totaling about $145 million.

January 2005: Republican Party of Florida American Express Card Charges

Starting in January 2005, Marco Rubio made some personal charges on his Republican Party of Florida American Express card. These charges were later reimbursed.

October 2006: Republican Party of Florida American Express Card Charges

Through October 2006, Marco Rubio made some personal charges on his Republican Party of Florida American Express card. These charges were later reimbursed.

2010: Credit Card Issues Raised During Senate Campaign

In 2010, during Marco Rubio's Senate campaign, issues were raised about his use of a Republican Party of Florida American Express card during his time as House speaker.

2010: Report on Spending Requests

In 2010, the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald published a report suggesting some of Marco Rubio's spending requests dovetailed with his personal interests.

October 2011: Washington Post Report on Family History

In October 2011, The Washington Post reported that Marco Rubio's statements about his parents leaving Cuba in 1959 were false.

2012: Ethics Commission Clears Rubio

In 2012, the Florida Commission on Ethics cleared Marco Rubio of wrongdoing in his use of the party-issued credit card, though noting negligence in not using his personal MasterCard.

November 2015: Credit Card Statements Released

In November 2015, Marco Rubio released his Republican Party of Florida American Express card statements from January 2005 through October 2006, showing personal charges that he had reimbursed.

November 2015: Rubio advocates for barring Syrian refugees after Paris attacks

In November 2015, after the Paris terrorist attacks, Marco Rubio said that, because background checks could not be done, the U.S. should accept no more Syrian refugees.

March 2016: Rubio Opposes Obama's Supreme Court Nomination

In March 2016, Marco Rubio opposed President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, stating that a nominee should not be considered in the last year of a president's term, even if the president was a Republican.

October 7, 2016: Rubio responds to Trump's Access Hollywood controversy

On October 7, 2016, following the Donald Trump Access Hollywood controversy, Marco Rubio wrote that "Donald's comments were vulgar, egregious & impossible to justify. No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private."

February 2018: Rubio Defends NRA Contributions at CNN Town Hall

During a CNN town hall event in February 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Marco Rubio defended his record of accepting contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA), stating that the influence of these groups comes from the millions of people who agree with their agenda, not from money.

March 2018: Rubio Defends Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

In March 2018, Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, despite concerns from experts and fellow Republicans that it would lead to undercounting and faulty data.

August 28, 2018: Rubio Urges Sanctions Against Chinese Officials

On August 28, 2018, Marco Rubio and 16 other members of Congress urged the U.S. to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials for human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang.

2018: Rubio adopts more hardline views on immigration

In 2018, Marco Rubio distanced himself from his previous efforts to reach a compromise on immigration, and developed more hardline views on immigration, rejecting bipartisan immigration reform efforts.

2020: China Sanctions Rubio

In 2020, China sanctioned Marco Rubio and banned him from traveling to the country for his support of Hong Kong's democracy movement.

2020: Sanctioned by China

In 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Marco Rubio twice, banning him from entering China.

February 2022: Rubio Condemns Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, Marco Rubio condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2022: Rubio Condemns 2022 Winter Olympics in China

In 2022, Marco Rubio condemned holding the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, citing its "evil, genocidal regime" and vowing to prevent future Olympics from being hosted there. He also introduced the Chinese Communist Party Visa Ban Act.

March 2023: Rubio Supports Revoking China's Trade Relations Status

In March 2023, Marco Rubio voiced support for revoking China's permanent normal trade relations status.

October 2023: Rubio Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel

In October 2023, Marco Rubio condemned Hamas's attack on Israel and expressed his support for Israel's right to self-defense. He called for the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza and stated that Israel cannot coexist with "these savages".

November 2024: Rubio Calls Ukraine War a Stalemate

In November 2024, Marco Rubio called Ukrainians "incredibly brave and strong", but said the war in Ukraine had reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion" to avoid further casualties.