Former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to snub Vivek Ramaswamy, one of his prominent 2024 GOP challengers, and instead select Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State if he wins the Republican nomination. This move would signal a shift in Trump’s potential cabinet choices, favoring a more experienced and established political figure for a critical foreign policy role.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump has expressed concerns about Ramaswamy’s relative inexperience in foreign policy, despite the entrepreneur and author’s rising popularity in the Republican field. While Ramaswamy has positioned himself as a staunch advocate of conservative principles, including a more America-first foreign policy, his background as a political outsider has led some within Trump’s orbit to question whether he is equipped for the complexities of global diplomacy.

In contrast, Rubio, a seasoned politician with a long track record on foreign policy issues, is seen as a more fitting candidate for Secretary of State. Rubio has served as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he gained extensive experience dealing with international relations, particularly regarding Latin America, China, and Russia. His selection would likely signal Trump’s desire to strengthen the United States’ global presence while maintaining his hardline stance on issues like immigration and trade.

The move to bypass Ramaswamy is not entirely surprising given the intense competition for Trump’s favor within the GOP. Despite their political differences, Rubio has remained a loyal ally to Trump in past years, and their working relationship could prove advantageous for a potential second term in the White House.

While Trump’s cabinet choices are still subject to change, this report highlights the strategic considerations that could shape his administration’s foreign policy direction.