In a moment that blended both history and humor, President Donald Trump delivered what may become one of the more iconic lines of his second term. Speaking before the Israeli Knesset following the dramatic release of the final living hostages held by Hamas, Trump singled out Secretary of State Marco Rubio—his former rival turned diplomatic heavyweight—for praise that, while delivered with Trump’s trademark bravado, carried a seriousness the occasion demanded.
“Who the hell thought this was gonna happen, Marco?” Trump quipped, triggering laughter and applause from the chamber. It was a moment that managed to capture the surreal trajectory of American politics over the past decade. In 2016, Trump and Rubio traded barbs and insults on the debate stage. In 2025, they were standing on the global stage, having just helped broker one of the most consequential peace agreements in modern Middle Eastern history.
🚨 WOW! In an incredible moment, President Trump declares “Marco Rubio will go down as the greatest Secretary of State in the HISTORY of the United States.”
“I believe that. And he and I, we REALLY fought it out [in 2016]! You remember. He was tough! He was NASTY! Who the hell… pic.twitter.com/ZuJ1NXzfOM
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 13, 2025
But the levity gave way to gravity as Trump’s tone shifted. “Marco will go down, I mean this, as the greatest Secretary of State in the history of the United States,” he declared. “I believe that.” For all the theatrics that often accompany Trump’s public appearances, the sentiment was not delivered lightly. This wasn’t mere flattery — it was recognition of Rubio’s role in navigating an extraordinarily complex geopolitical labyrinth.
Rubio’s own remarks hours later, delivered at the Gaza Summit in Egypt, further cemented the day’s importance. “This is clearly — in my mind and I think in the mind of everyone in this room — probably one of the most important days for world peace in 50 years, and that’s not an exaggeration,” he said. Coming from someone whose political rise was shaped by hardline foreign policy and skepticism toward both Iran and Hamas, the words carried weight.
The hostage deal — negotiated with the Iran-backed terror group Hamas — has defied expectations on nearly every front. Few believed such a comprehensive resolution was possible, especially one that would include the release of all living hostages without what many feared would be impossible concessions. The path to this moment was littered with political landmines, backchannel diplomacy, and fragile cooperation between ideologically divergent actors.
Trump’s embrace of Rubio’s performance as Secretary of State signals more than a thaw in their personal dynamic—it’s a testament to a broader strategic pivot. The Trump administration’s second term has been marked by muscular diplomacy that seeks results over rhetoric, and Rubio’s successful navigation of this agreement will likely redefine his legacy.
.@SecRubio: "This is clearly — in my mind and I think in the mind of everyone in this room — probably one of the most important days for world peace in 50 years, and that's not an exaggeration." pic.twitter.com/0IS6tYyT4m
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2025
It’s also a striking moment of political reconciliation. The two men who once clashed with such ferocity have now found a common cause in reshaping the global order, particularly in the volatile Middle East. Rubio, once the young upstart labeled “Little Marco” by Trump, now stands shoulder to shoulder with him as a statesman — respected abroad and increasingly celebrated at home.
This convergence of history, diplomacy, and political irony would be easy to dismiss as theatrical, were it not for the stakes involved. Hostages, once thought lost to time and terror, are now home. A peace framework, once unthinkable, is now a lived reality. And a former political rivalry has become one of the most consequential partnerships in modern American foreign policy.