Secretary of State Marco Rubio went viral on Thursday after pointedly brushing off a group of reporters who attempted to question him as he walked into a classified national security briefing at the US Capitol. The exchange, captured on video and widely shared on X, shows Rubio declining to stop for comment, telling journalists, “I didn’t talk to you guys when I worked here. Why would I talk to you now?” The moment has drawn sharp reactions online, with supporters calling it a firm stance against the press and critics labelling it evasive.

A familiar posture in a new role

Rubio, confirmed unanimously as Secretary of State in January 2025 after serving more than a decade in the Senate, appears to be maintaining the limited media engagement style he adopted in recent years. While he was once a frequent presence in congressional hallway interviews, Rubio has increasingly framed off-the-cuff press questioning as unproductive.In the clip, a reporter is heard asking him to pause for cameras before the briefing. Rubio does not break stride, responding briefly before entering the secure area. The video has since amassed tens of thousands of shares, with political commentators split: some praising his discipline in avoiding “gotcha” exchanges, others saying a top diplomat should welcome transparency.