How Marco Rubio shifted from Trump critic to Trump champion

NPR | By Tonya Mosley

Published January 14, 2026 at 12:41 PM EST

Rubio once called Trump a "con artist." He's now among his most loyal defenders. New Yorker writer Dexter Filkins describes Secretary of State Rubio's character, political transformation and ambition.

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Tonya Mosley

Tonya Mosley is a co-host of Fresh Air.

See stories by Tonya Mosley

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