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The State Department on Thursday dismissed as "made-up rumors from anonymous sources" a report that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could leave the Trump administration to prepare for a presidential run in 2028, and the White House called the report "fake."
The Washington Sun reported on Thursday, citing 10 people familiar with internal conversations, that Sergio Gor, the United States ambassador to India and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has been laying the groundwork for a major promotion after the midterm elections, with his name coming up for White House chief of staff and for taking over from Rubio as secretary of state. The report said some State Department officials and Republican figures believe Rubio may leave the Cabinet to prepare for a future run for president in 2028 or 2032. Neither Rubio nor White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has publicly indicated any intention of leaving.
Gor denied the report to The Washington Sun in blunt terms. "This story is complete and total bullshit," he said. "Secretary Marco Rubio has proven to be the most qualified, accomplished and greatest secretary of state in history. He is irreplaceable, and a dear friend who I have the joy of working with every day as U.S. ambassador to India — a true honor of a lifetime. I have zero interest in any other role." He said he never discussed taking another role with anyone.
Dylan Johnson, the State Department's assistant secretary for global public affairs, also denied that Gor is looking for a new role. "Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Gor have a great working relationship and personal friendship," Johnson said. "These are made-up rumors from anonymous sources. We look forward to revisiting this 'reporting' in a few weeks when it is revealed as the baseless fake news that it is." A White House official called the story "fake" and based on sources who "know nothing."
The Independent separately reported that Rubio is "on resignation watch," citing senior party sources in the United States and senior figures in the British government, and said he had been plotting his exit even before the midterm losses. The report said up to five members of Trump's Cabinet are considering runs for president.
The reports come two days after Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, and The Washington Sun framed the possible personnel shifts as part of an expected reshuffling of Trump's team after the defeat. The report also said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau told colleagues he would leave after the midterms if Republicans lost control of Congress; Landau later denied it. "I have never told anyone that I have any intention of leaving my job at the State Department because I absolutely do not," he said.
Rubio said in September that he has no plans at this time to run for president in 2028, telling Colombian broadcaster RCN that he is not a candidate for anything right now and is fully focused on his job. He serves as both secretary of state and Trump's interim national security adviser. He has previously said he would not run if Vice President JD Vance does, and Trump has declined to choose between the two.