He’s “Maduromaxxing.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio went viral on social media Tuesday for wearing the Nike tracksuit made famous by deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro aboard Air Force One.
“Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!” White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on X, sharing an image of Rubio en route to China in a matching gray tracksuit.
Maduro was wearing the same model tracksuit when he was captured by US forces in early January.
“Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!” White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on X. Steven Cheung/X
President Trump subsequently blasted out a photo of a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro in his Nike Tech sweats.
The White House described the gag as a “full circle moment,” and shared a video on X of Rubio mocking Maduro shortly after the successful raid.
“If you don’t know, now you know,” the secretary of state said at the time.
The video included shots of Rubio and Maduro in their respective fits.
The top US diplomat’s wardrobe choice pleasantly shocked many on social media.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Nike sweatsuit on board the USS Iwo Jima after his Jan. 3, 2026, capture. Anadolu via Getty Images
“Please tell me this is NOT AI,” podcaster Benny Johnson wrote on X.
“Please let this be real,” NewsNation host Katie Pavlich tweeted.
“There’s absolutely no way,” right-wing influencer Johnny Maga posted.
Maduro’s capture on the front page of The Post on Jan. 4, 2026.
Other social media users quickly Photoshopped an uncomfortable-looking Rubio on the Oval Office couch in the Nike tracksuit – one the most widely-shared memes involving the secretary of state.
“Legend!” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said of Rubio.
A few X users took issue with the secretary of state choice of footwear, a pair of Adidas sneakers. “President Maduro wore Nike shoes, he didn’t mix Adidas / Nike. Point for Maduro,” one X user pointed out.