Fact Check: Did Marco Rubio wear Nicolas Maduro’s Nike tracksuit on Air Force One?

WASHINGTON, DC: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio triggered a wave of memes and online speculation after a photo showed him aboard Air Force One wearing the same gray Nike Tech tracksuit that went viral following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.

The image quickly spread across social media, with users linking Rubio’s outfit to the now-infamous “Maduro Nike Tech” meme. But is the photo authentic, and did Rubio really wear the viral tracksuit during his trip to Beijing?

Claim: Marco Rubio was seen wearing the Nicolas Maduro 'Nike Tech'

The speculation began after White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a photo of Marco Rubio wearing the outfit aboard Air Force One and wrote on X, “Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!” Soon after, X users flooded the platform with collages comparing Rubio and Maduro in the same “Nike Tech” tracksuit.

​Pro-Trump X user Eric Daugherty added to the buzz, posting, “LMFAO! Sec. Marco Rubio was just spotted wearing the Nicolas Maduro "Nike Tech" aboard Air Force One, en route to China with President Trump. Just like Maduro wore when 47 captured him. We love Marco”. The White House later shared the photos as well, calling it a “full circle moment.”

By the time of writing, Cheung’s post had gone viral, racking up more than 1.4 million views, 1,200 comments, and 18K likes.

The post also sparked confusion among some users, with one asking, “Is this real?” while another wrote, “Is this a real photo? I don't know anymore with all the AI Marco.”

Fact Check: Picture showing Marco Rubio wearing a Nike Tech tracksuit is real

After reviewing available sources, the claim refers to a real photograph of Marco Rubio aboard Air Force One wearing a gray Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung first shared the image on X, where it quickly circulated online. The photo is authentic and was also amplified by official White House-linked accounts. 

The outfit matches the same style of Nike Tech Fleece that previously went viral after being worn by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during his capture by U.S. forces in January 2026.

The phrase “Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’” is not an official product name but an internet meme label that emerged online. The claim does not indicate that Rubio wore the outfit in any official political or symbolic capacity; instead, social media users have shaped its meaning through meme-driven interpretation. There is no evidence of any hidden political message beyond this viral framing.

US officials confirmed that Maduro and his wife were captured during a US military operation in January 2026. The mission was reportedly carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force, supported by broader intelligence and military assets. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly commented on the operation at the time, stating that Maduro had been given opportunities to avoid confrontation with the United States. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Rubio said Maduro “had multiple opportunities to avoid this” and described those offers as “very generous,” adding that Maduro chose confrontation instead of exile.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.