Trump shuts down legacy media attempts to pit Marco Rubio against JD Vance

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump dismissed attempts by reporters to suggest a rift between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

The exchange occurred aboard Air Force One on Sunday, January 4, amid discussions of the recent US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.  

Trump fielded questions from the press pool while en route to Florida following the high-profile operation. Reporters referenced the Venezuela mission, in which US forces extracted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, leading to Maduro's impending court appearance in the United States on d*ug trafficking charges. 

Trump defends JD Vance and Marco Rubio

During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One, a reporter asked President Donald Trump about the dynamics between Marco Rubio and JD Vance in light of the Venezuela operation.

"Would you say that Marco Rubio has your ear more than the vice president right now?" the reporter inquired, according to video footage shared by investigative journalist Laura Loomer on X.

Trump responded without hesitation, “No, they both do. JD's very smart, doing a great job, so is Marco. I'd say equal." 

The question appeared to stem from observations of Rubio's prominent role in the Venezuela operation. As Secretary of State, Rubio had engaged in communications with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who Trump claimed was sworn in as interim president shortly before his remarks.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Rodríguez had a "gracious" conversation with Rubio. Rodriguez apparently told him, “We’ll do whatever you need.”

Trump remarked to reporters, “She, I think, was quite gracious, but she really doesn’t have a choice.” 

After Nicolas Maduro’s ouster, Trump team details oil 'quarantine' plan

The Air Force One discussion followed a US military strike on Saturday, January 3, that ousted Maduro from power. Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago later that day, Trump described the action as necessary to address d*ug trafficking and recover "stolen" oil resources. 

"We’re not afraid of boots on the ground," Trump said during the briefing. He added that the United States would essentially be "running" the country "with a group, and we're going to make sure it's run properly," Trump said.

Appearing on Sunday morning shows, Rubio clarified the administration's stance as he noted that American troops were no longer on Venezuelan soil and described the operation as a "quarantine" to secure oil assets.

“And so that’s the sort of control the president is pointing to when he says that,” Rubio told CBS’s 'Face the Nation.' “We continue with that quarantine, and we expect to see that there will be changes, not just in the way the oil industry is run for the benefit of the people, but also so that they stop the d*ug trafficking.”

Vice President Vance was not present at the presser, but issued a statement on X supporting the mission. 

"The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the d*ug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States," Vance wrote.

"Maduro found out that Trump 'means what he says,'" he concluded.

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