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<\/picture><\/div>\nSecretary of State Marco Rubio gave a sweeping speech to fellow conservatives on Friday evening (November 13, 2026), acknowledging that Americans are struggling in the current economy, while also railing against what he called the \u201cweaponisation\u201d of international law to constrain the U.S. from acting in its own interests.<\/p>\n
His comments to the conservative Federalist Society touched on a core issue of the midterm elections \u2014 economic pain \u2014 that U.S. voters cited in delivering massive losses to Rubio’s Republican Party.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cI think we have to recognise that people are struggling. There\u2019s no doubt about it,\u201d he said. \u201cThe health of our economy has nothing to do with the stock market. The health of their economy is whether they have enough money to be able to afford the things they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump often points to the stock market as evidence that the economy is doing well. But voters, angry over higher costs, gave Democrats control of Congress after blaming Trump for his tariffs, his war in Iran and his unfulfilled campaign promise two years ago to bring down prices.<\/p>\n
Mr. Rubio’s remarks had the overtones of campaign speech, though the former Florida senator has consistently refused to discuss whether he would seek the presidency in 2028 in a race that could pit him against Vice President J.D. Vance. Mr. Rubio gave another wide-ranging speech last month in Greece that focused on Western values and also appeared to reflect his political aspirations beyond being America\u2019s top diplomat.<\/p>\n
Mr. Rubio on Friday (November 13, 2026) defended the Iran war, arguing that it was necessary to stop the threat of the Islamic Republic obtaining a nuclear weapon. But he acknowledged that the unpopular conflict has driven up gasoline prices for Americans and other connected costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not easy to address these things because it\u2019s not popular to address them,” Mr. Rubio said. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult. And oftentimes it inflicts, you know, pain, economic pain and otherwise. So we recognise that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also pointed to the need for American leaders to continue a tradition of ensuring the next generation is better off than those before them. Economic prosperity is \u201cnot self-perpetuating,\u201d he said, but an enormous undertaking that requires years and decades and is not accomplished \u201celection cycle to election cycle.”<\/p>\n