Marco Rubio is a rock star in the Trump admin – and making himself a serious candidate for prez in 2028

Miranda Devine / NEW YORK POST

From DJ’ing a wedding on the weekend to manning the White House press podium like a boss, from velvet-gloved diplomacy in Europe to juggling the roles of secretary of state and NSA director in the middle of a war, Marco Rubio is the administration’s secret charm bomb.

President Trump rolls him out whenever he has a problem to solve.

Whether it’s filling in as national archivist, blowing cartel drug boats out of the water, ­DOGEing USAID to death or sitting as vice chairman of the “Saving College Sports” council, Rubio is Trump’s Mr. Fix-it.

His Tuesday stint filling in for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave, became a viral sensation on several fronts: his casual use of rap and hip-hop lyrics like “insane in the brain” (Cypress Hill) to ­describe the Iranian leaders and his warning that they “should check themselves before they wreck themselves” (Ice Cube) earned him cool dad credits with the press pool. Read more here.

China orders firms to ignore US Iran sanctions, daring US to enforce crackdown

Expert calls the move 'a measure of defiance by Beijing' as Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran's oil revenue

Morgan Phillips / Fox News 

 

China has ordered companies to disregard U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil, forcing a direct test of Washington’s ability to enforce its crackdown on Iran.   

A new directive, issued through China’s Commerce Ministry Sunday, invokes a 2021 "blocking statute" that prohibits firms from complying with foreign sanctions deemed illegitimate. The order applies to several Chinese refiners accused by the United States of purchasing Iranian crude, including major independent processors known as "teapot" refineries.

The move represents a shift from years of opaque workarounds to more explicit state-backed resistance, as Beijing signals it will not cooperate with U.S. efforts to cut off a key source of revenue for Iran.

"This is unprecedented. It’s a major escalation in terms of China’s response to U.S. economic statecraft. It is a measure of defiance by Beijing," said Max Meizlish, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of...Read more, and see video here. 

Midterm handicapper unveils new House ratings for pivotal 2026 races across the US 

Victor Nava / NEW YORK POST 

The University of Virginia’s Center for Politics shifted 17 House races Wednesday in response to redistricting, primary elections and congressional scandals. 

Nine of the organization’s race-ratings changes were made in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new GOP-friendly congressional map into law earlier this week. 

On balance, the Florida changes help the GOP’s bottom line in the House, according to the the Center for Politics. 

The Sunshine State’s 14th Congressional District, held by Rep. Kathy Castor’s (D-Fla.), has shifted from “Safe Democratic” to “Leans Republican.” 

Rep. Darren Soto’s (D-Fla.) 9th District has gone from “Likely Democratic” to “Likely Republican.”

Florida’s new 22nd and 25th congressional districts have also been shifted from “Safe Democratic” to “Leans Republican” and “Toss-up,” respectively.