US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wore a grey Nike Tech fleece tracksuit aboard Air Force One while traveling to China on May 13, 2026. The journey accompanied President Donald Trump on a state visit focused on trade and national security issues [1, 2].
Photos of Rubio in the casual outfit were shared by White House communications director Steven Cheung on X, who captioned one image, "Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!" [1]. Rubio's choice sharply contrasted with the usual formalwear worn by senior US officials during such trips [1, 2].
Social media users quickly compared Rubio's tracksuit to recent viral images of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro wearing the exact same grey Nike Tech fleece style while in US custody earlier this year. Maduro's photos circulated widely online in January 2026, turning the tracksuit into an internet meme [1, 2].
Rubio has also been noted online for DJing at a family wedding while wearing headphones, adding to his growing presence beyond typical political roles [2].
Rubio's attire on this high-profile diplomatic flight marks a notable departure from convention and has sparked widespread conversation regarding the image projected by US officials abroad.
White House officials did not provide comment on the clothing choice. Rubio and Trump continued their diplomatic events in China following the Air Force One flight on May 13.
