At a Glance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he hides his naps from President Trump while flying together.
- Rubio claims Trump prowls the cabin to see who is awake.
- Trump says his eyes close during meetings because they become “boring as hell.”
- Why it matters: The comments reveal the tension between the two men and shed light on Trump’s public persona.
The conversation between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump has taken a surprising turn. In a recent interview, Rubio admitted he “cocoons” himself during Air Force One flights to keep his naps hidden from the president. The comments also touch on Trump’s tendency to stare off during meetings and Rubio’s defense of the former president.
Napping on Air Force One
Rubio, 54, explained to New York magazine that when he and Trump are aboard Air Force One, he usually wants to sleep on one of the two couches in the office area. However, he “cocoon[s] himself in a blanket,” covering his head so that he “looks like a mummy.”
> “I cover my head. I look like a mummy,” Rubio said.
The secretary’s rationale is simple: he needs extra rest on overseas flights, but Trump, 79, never naps. Rubio said he prefers Trump to think a slapper is asleep rather than him.
> “I’d rather Trump assume a slapper is asleep on the couch than my secretary of state,” Rubio added.
Rubio’s remarks were published in a New York magazine article on Jan. 26. The piece focused primarily on Trump’s health and aging, but Rubio’s comments quickly became the headline.
Trump’s Cabin Patrol
Rubio warned that Trump would eventually emerge from the cabin and start prowling the hallways to see who is awake. He said this was a reason he kept his blanket close.
> “I do that because I know that at some point on the flight, Trump is going to emerge from the cabin and start prowling the hallways to see who is awake,” Rubio said.
Trump’s habit of walking around during meetings has been noted by many observers. The president himself explained that his eyes close during Cabinet sessions because the discussions become dull.
> “I’m going around a room, and I’ve got 28 guys – the last one was three and a half hours. I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know I’m listening,” Trump said.
> “I’m hearing every word, and I can’t wait to get out,” he added.
Trump’s Sleepy Meetings
When asked by New York magazine whether Trump was dozing off, Rubio reportedly scoffed and defended the president, claiming, “It’s a listening mechanism.” The comments suggest Rubio sees Trump’s closed-eye moments as a sign of attentiveness rather than fatigue.
> “It’s a listening mechanism,” Rubio said.
Trump, who turns 80 in June, gave his own explanation for the eye-closing habit. He said the meetings become “boring as hell,” prompting his eyes to shut.
> “I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know I’m listening,” Trump said.
The differing perspectives highlight how each leader interprets the other’s behavior.
The Chevron Note Incident
Earlier this month, Rubio and Trump made headlines when Rubio slipped a note to Trump during a televised press conference with gas and oil executives. Trump read the note aloud, stating:
> “Marco just gave me a note,” Trump announced to the room of executives.
> “Go back to Chevron,” Trump read from the piece of paper. “They want to discuss something. Go back to Chevron.”
The incident underscores the close, sometimes awkward, working relationship between the two men.
Context and Reactions
The comments come at a time when Trump’s health and public image are under scrutiny. Rubio’s admission that he hides his naps may be seen as a subtle critique of Trump’s energy levels, while Trump’s own defense of his sleepy moments reflects his desire to maintain an image of vigor.
The remarks also illustrate the dynamic within the administration: Rubio, who has served as Secretary of State since 2018, appears to be navigating a delicate balance between his duties and the president’s demands.
Key Takeaways
- Rubio hides naps on Air Force One to avoid Trump’s scrutiny.
- Trump claims his eyes close during meetings because they are boring.
- Rubio defends Trump’s behavior as a listening mechanism.
- A recent press-conference note incident further highlighted their close working relationship.
The story continues to unfold as the administration moves forward with its agenda.
