U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ignited a firestorm of mockery and criticism across social media platforms following a controversial public statement about former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, after the State Department announced a significant name change.
A Controversial Renaming and a Bold Claim
The U.S. State Department officially renamed the former Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. In a social media post, the department stated the change was meant to “reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history.” Secretary Rubio amplified this message on his own account, making a claim that would become the centre of the ensuing controversy.
Rubio declared, “President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace,” adding, “it’s time our State Department display that.” The post, dated December 3, 2025, immediately drew intense scrutiny and skepticism from observers, journalists, and the public.
The Backlash: 'Cult Alert' and Orwellian Comparisons
The reaction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Many users pointed to a stark contradiction that made Rubio's praise seem particularly hollow. Critics highlighted that Trump, the so-called “President of Peace,” had recently overseen the renaming of the Department of Defense to the “Department of War.”
This juxtaposition fueled accusations of sycophancy and sparked references to authoritarian propaganda. One user bluntly stated, “You're in a fucking cult,” while another remarked, “Peaceful presidents don't threaten other nations and drone strike civilian non combatants.” Several commentators drew direct parallels to George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, with one quoting, “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten...”
Prominent voices joined the chorus. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat simply posted, “Authoritarian leader cult alert.” Writer Jay Nordlinger expressed bewilderment at the lack of dignity, asking, “Are they more obsequious in Pyongyang?” The sentiment was widespread: Rubio's statement was viewed as an extreme act of political flattery divorced from reality.
A Question of Transformation: What Happened to Rubio?
Beyond mocking the “President of Peace” label, a significant thread of the online discussion focused on Rubio's own political evolution. Users resurfaced past quotes and videos showing a very different Marco Rubio. They highlighted his 2016 description of Trump as a “con man” and a “dangerous autocrat and a thug.”
This stark reversal led many to question his motives. Former official Miles Taylor directly asked Rubio, “You used to loathe Trump... So why are you fawning over him?” Commentator Joe Walsh sarcastically conceded that Trump did get one thing right about the Secretary of State: his old nickname, “Little Marco.”
Amidst the criticism, a note of humour emerged. Dr. Annie Andrews offered a tongue-in-cheek explanation for Trump's peaceful demeanour, tweeting, “Anyone who naps all day is bound to feel peaceful.”
The online maelstrom underscores the deep political divisions and the potent role of social media in holding public figures accountable. While Secretary Rubio is entitled to his opinion, the public reaction suggests his characterization of Donald Trump as a historic peacemaker has been met with profound skepticism and ridicule, framed by what critics see as contradictory actions from Trump's own tenure.
