Rubio wears Nike tracksuit on Air Force One, sparks viral Maduro memes

Secretary of State Marco Rubio ditched his usual suit for Nike tracksuits on Air Force One, sparking widespread outrage online as images of the unexpected look spread on social media.

Photos sent to X by White House communications director Steven Cheung showed Rubio wearing a gray Nike Tech fleece suit; This attire was a very casual departure from the formal attire worn by senior US officials on official travel.

The moment comes as Rubio embarks on a high-stakes trip to China with President Donald Trump, where officials are expected to focus on trade and national security, creating a contrast between high-level diplomacy and a social media-driven fashion moment.

The outfit quickly drew comparisons to the online “Venezuela Nike Tech” meme, which gained attention earlier this year when photos of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro wearing a similar tracksuit went viral.

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After the images emerged, social media users showered X with jokes and comments.

“Will Marco be the DJ of the plane?” one X user wrote alongside an edited image of Rubio standing behind a DJ booth.

Another viral meme, tagging Rubio as “Nicolás Maduro as Marco Rubio,” continues comparisons between the secretary of state’s outfit and the now-viral images of Maduro.

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Another user asked, “Okay, did I miss one of Marco Rubio’s new jobs? Activewear model?” he wrote.

Others called the outfit a “Maduro fit,” while others questioned the casual attire on Air Force One.

Rubio has also become an unlikely recurring viral figure online in recent weeks. Videos shared by White House officials earlier this month showed the secretary of state DJing at a family wedding, wearing headphones behind the mixing booth and dancing around guests.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 12, 2026, as he departs for a 3-day official visit to China. (Getty Images)

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Nike Tech fleece tracksuits have increased in popularity online in recent months; This was fueled in part by images of Maduro, which helped turn the minimalist athletic style into an unlikely political meme.

While senior officials are often seen in formal attire while traveling on Air Force One, Rubio’s off-duty appearance offered a rare behind-the-scenes look and quickly became another talking point on social media.