President Donald Trump joked about sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Cuba aboard an aircraft carrier, suggesting Rubio could help tackle the island’s problems. The remark came during a September 22 event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, as Trump discussed Cuba’s crisis and Rubio’s Cuban roots.
Donald Trump jokes about dropping Marco Rubio in Cuba aboard an aircraft carrier to help tackle the country’s problems
Trump brought up Cuba while speaking alongside Rubio, saying the island had experienced another blackout and “don’t have enough for lights.” He then pointed to Rubio’s family background, noting that the secretary of state’s parents were born in Cuba.
According to The Economic Times, Trump went on to joke about an unusual solution, saying, “So we’re going to, someday in the near future, drop him off in the middle of Cuba, just on the way back from Iran. We’re gonna have one of those big, beautiful aircraft carriers fly him in, drop them off, and he’ll figure out the rest. He always does.” The comment drew laughter from those present.
He then praised Rubio, saying, “His parents were born there, and now look at the position — he’s secretary of state, doing a fantastic job.” Trump also asked Rubio if he had anything to say about the joke.
The exchange came shortly after Trump took a much tougher tone toward Cuba during his United Nations General Assembly address. He called the country “an absolutely failed state” and said his administration was seeking “a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba.” Cuba’s delegation walked out during his remarks.
The joke also came as Rubio played a role in U.S. discussions involving Cuba. Trump said Rubio was handling negotiations with the country, while Reuters reported that the secretary of state was engaged in talks involving Cuba.
Against that backdrop, Trump’s reference to Rubio’s Cuban family background set up the lighter exchange about sending the secretary of state to the island aboard an aircraft carrier.
