Marco Rubio's bewildered response when confronted about not-so-subtle Cuba takeover clue in chaotic first White House press briefing

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:22, 5 May 2026 | Updated: 22:22, 5 May 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio handled a chaotic and packed White House briefing on Tuesday, where he fielded questions on Iran and China and quickly breezed past a question over the administration's plans for Cuba.  Rubio, 54, is the first of Trump's Cabinet members to take the podium and fill in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt while she is on maternity leave. At the podium, he joked about how frenzied the briefing was as nearly 100 journalists in the room angled for questions. After playfully venting about his latest role as fill-in press secretary, he remarked how he needs 'to get a laser pointer' to select who to call on.  The Secretary of State began claiming that Iran has been defeated militarily and that the US is awaiting a unified response from the fractured government on how to wind down the war, now in its tenth week.  Independent analysts dispute whether the regime has been defeated, as on Monday the country fired a series of missiles and drones against US ships and allies in the Strait of Hormuz.  America's top diplomat also addressed Cuba after having a meeting with US Southern Command earlier in the day, where he posed for a picture shaking a top general's hand in front of a map of the Caribbean island nation.  When pressed by the Daily Mail about the Cuba meeting with top military planners, Rubio declined to go into specifics while urging that the map was insignificant and not a pointed message.  'Our ambassadors from the whole western hemisphere, I was addressing them and meeting the general just took command of SOUTHCOM and there happened to be a map of Cuba,' Rubio said of the eyebrow-raising photo-op.  Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a White House press conference on Tuesday while the President's spokeswoman is on maternity leave  Rubio downplayed the significance of this photo posted earlier in the day showing the Secretary of State shaking hands with US Southern Command boss General Francis Donovan with a map of Cuba in the background Rubio explained that the map was not meant as a message, but rather he wanted it in the photo because Cuba is one of the closest nations to the US in SOUTHCOM's jurisdiction, despite Mexico being closer  He said, 'it would be good if we took a picture because it's [Cuba] like the closest thing itself coming to the United States, so there it is.' When pressed if there have been any updates on the US's gambit to take control of Greenland, Rubio joked he didn't have a Greenland map.  'Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited #SOUTHCOM today and met with Gen. Francis L. Donovan. Their discussions focused on U.S. efforts to counter threats that undermine security, stability and democracy in our hemisphere,' the caption of the photo with Rubio read.  Some online took the image as a subtle nod to the Trump administration's ambitions to enact regime change in the communist nation that's roughly 90 miles from Florida.  Trump and Rubio have been outspoken about wanting regime change in the island nation.  In January, Rubio testified before Congress, saying, 'I think we would love to see the regime there change,' referring to Cuba.   Trump doubled down in March, saying he wants to have 'the honor of taking Cuba,' adding, 'Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.' He again reiterated that desire last week, noting that the US will be preparing to take over Cuba 'almost immediately.' Rubio entering the press briefing room was warmly greeted by room full of eager repoters  The Secretary of State noted how Cuba's economy is collapsing due to it being cut off from Venezuela's oil supply following the overthrow of ex-dictator Nicolás Maduro Since the administration's capture of Venezuela's former dictator Nicolás Maduro, Trump and his team have openly floated Cuba as their next target, though there was little sign of a US military operation against the island until Rubio posed for a photo with Cuba prominently on the map behind him alongside SOUTHCOM commander General Donovan. The administration has also expressed hope that Cuba's dire financial situation - worsened after Maduro's overthrow cut the island off from free Venezuelan oil - will trigger a leadership collapse. 'The problem in Cuba: their economic model doesn't work,' Rubio told reporters on Tuesday. 'And the people in charge can't fix it… The only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist, and that's what they are in that country.' Making his debut as acting White House spokesman, Rubio handled a barrage of questions with ease, despite knowing barely any of the reporters in the room.  At one point the Secretary of State joked that journalists should be made to wear name tags so he could tell who he was talking to. Lighter relief came when Rubio was asked for his DJ name after footage of him behind the decks at Trump aide Dan Scavino's wedding went viral. 'You're not ready for my DJ name,' he replied with a grin. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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