Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Marco Rubio

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

Marco Antonio Rubio is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat. Since 2025, he has served as the 72nd United States Secretary of State and as acting National Security Advisor. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Sections (5)

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

1959: Contradictory Date of Parents Leaving Cuba

In October 2011, The Washington Post disputed that Marco Rubio's parents left Cuba in 1959, stating that they left Cuba in 1956

January 2005: Personal charges on party credit card

In January 2005, Marco Rubio made personal charges on his Republican Party of Florida American Express card, which he later reimbursed. This issue resurfaced during his 2010 Senate campaign and his 2015 presidential campaign.

October 2006: Personal charges on party credit card

In October 2006, Marco Rubio made personal charges on his Republican Party of Florida American Express card, which he later reimbursed. This issue resurfaced during his 2010 Senate campaign and his 2015 presidential campaign.

2010: Report on Spending Requests

A 2010 report by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald said that some of Marco Rubio's spending requests dovetailed with his personal interests.

2010: Media raises issues about Rubio's credit card charges

In 2010, during his Senate campaign, the media raised issues about some items charged by Marco Rubio to his Republican Party of Florida American Express card during his time as House speaker. This scrutiny continued during his 2015 presidential campaign.

October 2011: Washington Post Report on Rubio's Family History

In October 2011, The Washington Post reported that Marco Rubio's previous statements about his parents leaving Cuba in 1959 were false; they left in 1956 during the Batista regime.

2012: Ethics commission clears Rubio of wrongdoing

In 2012, the Florida Commission on Ethics cleared Marco Rubio of wrongdoing in his use of the party-issued credit card, although the commission inspector said that Rubio exhibited a "level of negligence" in not using his personal MasterCard.

2013: Rubio's Support for Immigration Reform Leads to Decline in Tea Party Support

In 2013, Marco Rubio's support for comprehensive immigration reform legislation led to a decline in Tea Party support for him.

November 2015: Rubio releases party credit card statements

In November 2015, during his presidential campaign, Marco Rubio released his party credit card statements from January 2005 through October 2006. The statements showed eight personal charges totaling $7,243.74, all of which he had personally reimbursed.

November 2015: Rubio's stance on Syrian refugees after Paris attacks

In November 2015, following the Paris terrorist attacks, Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. should halt the acceptance of Syrian refugees due to the inability to conduct thorough background checks.

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, arguing that a nominee should not be considered in the last year of a president's term.

October 7, 2016: Rubio Condemns Trump's 'Access Hollywood' Comments

On October 7, 2016, following the Donald Trump Access Hollywood controversy, Marco Rubio condemned Trump's comments as vulgar and egregious, though he reaffirmed his support for Trump shortly thereafter.

2016: Rubio's criticism of Trump during the Republican primaries

During the Republican primaries in the 2016 presidential election, Marco Rubio harshly criticized Donald Trump.

2016: Rubio's stance on interrogation techniques for captured terrorists.

In 2016, Rubio stated that the U.S. should "find out everything they know" from captured terrorists and should not telegraph what interrogation techniques will or won't be used.

September 2017: Rubio defends Trump's decision to rescind DACA.

In September 2017, Rubio defended Trump's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, deeming it unconstitutional.

February 2018: Rubio defends accepting NRA contributions

In February 2018, at a CNN town hall event following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Marco Rubio defended his record of accepting contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA), attributing the group's influence to its millions of supporters rather than monetary donations.

March 2018: Rubio defends citizenship question on 2020 census

In March 2018, Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census, despite concerns that it would lead to undercounting of undocumented immigrants.

2019: Rubio defends Trump's decision to host G7 summit at Trump National Doral Miami.

In 2019, Rubio defended Trump's decision to host the 46th G7 summit at the Trump National Doral Miami, calling it "great" and good for local businesses.

August 10, 2020: Chinese government sanctions Rubio over Hong Kong-related issues.

On August 10, 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Rubio and 10 other Americans for "behaving badly on Hong Kong-related issues".

2020: Sanctioned by China

In 2020, Marco Rubio was sanctioned twice by the Chinese government and banned from entering China.

2020: Rubio defends citizenship question on 2020 census

February 2021: Rubio votes to acquit Trump for role in Capitol attack.

In February 2021, Rubio voted to acquit Trump for his role in inciting the mob to storm the Capitol.

May 28, 2021: Rubio votes against creating January 6 commission.

On May 28, 2021, Rubio voted against creating the January 6 commission.

2022: Rubio condemns the 2022 Winter Olympics in China and introduces the Chinese Communist Party Visa Ban Act

In 2022, Marco Rubio condemned holding the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. He also introduced the Chinese Communist Party Visa Ban Act, which would effectively prohibit any member of the CCP from visiting the United States.

January 22, 2025: Rubio Instructs State Department to Freeze Passport Applications with 'X' Sex Markers

On January 22, 2025, in compliance with Executive Order 14168, Marco Rubio instructed State Department staff to freeze any passport applications that requested "X" sex markers, holding some transgender applicants' documents and creating widespread confusion.

January 24, 2025: Rubio Enacts Freeze on U.S. Foreign Aid

On January 24, 2025, Marco Rubio enacted an unprecedented 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid, with some exceptions, effective January 28, shutting down many of USAID's programs worldwide.

March 7, 2025: Rubio Clashes With Elon Musk During Cabinet Meeting

On March 7, 2025, The New York Times reported that Marco Rubio clashed with Elon Musk during a White House cabinet meeting. Musk criticized him for not firing anyone in the State Department, and Rubio was angered by Musk's dismantling of USAID while he was the agency's administrator.