The hierarchy in the Trump Cabinet has a new king. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially surged to a +6 net approval rating, making him the most popular man in the administration as he executes a high-stakes, “Godfather”-inspired diplomatic blitz to end the war in Ukraine. While the headlines focus on internal clashes and secret flights, Rubio has quietly positioned himself as the “experienced hand” capable of staring down the Kremlin while keeping Kyiv at the table.
The diplomatic theatre reached a fever pitch in late December. Rubio reportedly channeled Vito Corleone during a tense sit-down with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, warning that while “women and children can be careless, men cannot”—a pointed reminder of the nuclear stakes. The results are already leaking: Ukrainian President Zelensky, in a stunning New Year’s Eve address, admitted a peace deal is now “90% ready,” though he warned the final 10% would decide the fate of Europe.
But it isn’t all smooth sailing in the MAGA ranks. Rubio is currently locked in a power struggle with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The rift exploded after Witkoff reportedly used a personal plane to bypass official channels, even excluding Rubio from a critical meeting with the President of France. Critics are calling Witkoff a “gift to the Russians,” accusing him of a “soft hand” with Putin, while Rubio remains the architect of a “peace through pain” strategy that includes massive economic leverage. With Zelensky signaling he may cede up to 20% of territory in exchange for EU membership and security guarantees, Rubio is the one holding the map—and the “Godfather” is just getting started.
