Fact Check: Did Marco Rubio once say 'stop importing Russian oil' in a social media post?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the controversy surrounding the United States and Russia diesel deal, a rumor began circulating on social media claiming that State Secretary Marco Rubio once called for the US to stop importing oil from Russia. The claim has drawn attention as President Donald Trump's reported diesel deal with Russia faces criticism.
The screenshot, which purportedly showed a post from Rubio's official X account, prompted users to question his stance on Russian oil imports. While some criticized Rubio over the alleged remarks, others expressed skepticism about the screenshot, prompting calls for a fact-check.
Claim: Marco Rubio called for an end to Russian oil imports
The rumor centered on a screenshot claiming to show a post from Rubio's official X handle. The alleged post read, “Stop importing Russian oil. Start producing more American oil again. That's the plan.”
The screenshot went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views, with many users criticizing Rubio and accusing him of hypocrisy. Others questioned whether the post was authentic, prompting a fact-check of the viral claim.
Fact Check: Marco Rubio's Russian oil post dates back to 2022
The claim is true, as Rubio did post the message calling for an end to Russian oil imports.
A search of Rubio's X account revealed that the post was published on March 8, 2022, when he was serving as a senator.
That same year, Congress moved to prohibit Russian energy imports as the country continued its war against Ukraine. The law covered crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and coal, restricting energy revenue flowing to the Russian government.
Donald Trump's Russia diesel deal draws bipartisan backlash
The post resurfaced amid bipartisan criticism of President Donald Trump's reported diesel deal with Russia, which critics described as a "total betrayal of Ukraine" and a "deal with the devil."
Trump announced the deal on Friday, October 9, describing his discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a highly successful discussion." The reported agreement came as the US faced soaring fuel costs that had affected the cost of living.
“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” Trump wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social.
Chuck Schumer (D-NY), in a social media post on Friday, accused Trump of making a “deal with the devil” to save his “flailing political fortune.”
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski also urged Trump to reverse course and use the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 to choke off Russia's oil and gas revenues.
The renewed attention to Rubio's 2022 post has added another dimension to the debate over the reported diesel deal, with the earlier call to stop importing Russian oil drawing scrutiny amid the current controversy.
