Tony Dokoupil had a unique sign-off for Tuesday’s broadcast of CBS Evening News, praising the “ultimate Florida man.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a jack-of-all-trades, and anyone who has taken a look at his job history can attest to that. This is exactly what Dokoupil did during his light-hearted sign-off on Tuesday, which featured a quick run-through of the secretary’s resume.
Watch:
Marco Rubio has become one of the most influential figures in U.S. foreign policy and President Trump’s point man on Venezuela. That’s in addition to his roles as Secretary of State, interim National Security Advisor, acting National Archivist and USAID chief. Rubio’s portfolio… pic.twitter.com/MglY7s4Zqw
— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) January 7, 2026
“Finally, tonight, and only in America, the many lives and many jobs of Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a former Florida senator,” he said. “He’s now the face of U.S. foreign policy and President Trump’s point man on Venezuela, all in addition to his roles as secretary of state, interim national security advisor, acting national archivist, and USAID chief. Whatever you think of his politics, you’ve got to admit, it’s an impressive resume.”
“And now, AI memes have added to that portfolio, casting Secretary Rubio as the new governor of Minnesota, the new shah of Iran, the prime minister of Greenland, the new manager of Manchester United, the head of Hilton Hotels, and, highest of high honors of all, the new Michelin Man,” Dokoupil continued, as the images flashed across the screen.
“Now back in real life, of course, these memes may not add up to much, but for Rubio’s hometown fans, who are many around here in Miami, it is a sign of how Florida, once an American punchline, has become a leader on the world stage,” he concluded. “Marco Rubio, we salute you. You’re the ultimate Florida man. And that’s another day in America and in Miami. For CBS News, I’m Tony Dokoupil. We’ll see you tomorrow, live from Dallas.”
This quickly drew a reaction from the likes of Oliver Darcy, who called the cheeky segment “jarring.”
“Even under normal circumstances, an ostensibly objective newsman’s lighthearted praise of a cabinet member’s political portfolio would have been jarring,” Darcy wrote. “But it was particularly striking in the context of the last several days. Rubio is currently helping Trump pursue the fantastical goal of capturing Greenland, and only days earlier participated in the shock overthrow of Venezuela’s government.”
X users, on the other hand, reacted a little differently:
https://t.co/RjQtEX5LeP https://t.co/Dg0iL3Nk53
— S Max Brown (@smaxbrown) January 7, 2026
Been very impressed with Marco.
— Christopher Wheeler (@Stocktrader) January 7, 2026
He’s like the Jamaican Family on the show In Living Color 😂
— Michelle Maxwell ™ (@MichelleMaxwell) January 7, 2026
I went from hating this guy for years as Senator to being super impressed in the last 2-3 years. Might be on pace to be first Hispanic VP or President maybe.
— Edgar Woo (@edgarwoo_) January 7, 2026
Next stop, Greenland. pic.twitter.com/z6yE6FMrdt
— Keez Nuts (@KeezNuts) January 7, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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