SouthernWorldwide.com – Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly refuted a Democratic lawmaker’s assertion that President Donald Trump might have considered his personal financial interests when making decisions concerning the recent conflict with Iran.
Rubio unequivocally labeled the allegation as “completely false,” stating that he has never witnessed the president discuss his personal finances in relation to matters of war or foreign policy.
This exchange occurred during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. Representative Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, questioned Rubio on whether he had advised Trump that military action against Iran could lead to increased costs for Americans, and if the president’s personal stock holdings presented a potential conflict of interest.
“Not once. Just to be clear, not a single time, not even for a millisecond,” Rubio stated emphatically. “Has the president ever discussed his personal economics and its relation to war or any public policy he’s made, for that matter? And I’ve been in every one of his foreign policy meetings for the most part.”
Rubio’s comments followed Meeks’ inquiry into whether Trump had been warned that “personal stock purchases and companies profiting from the war that he launched could present a conflict of interest.”
“I’m not aware of the president’s stock purchases,” Rubio responded. “I don’t deal with that. And I don’t even know what you’re saying is true.”
When Meeks asserted that Trump’s financial information was publicly available, Rubio replied, “You say so. I don’t read the president’s financial disclosure, but I don’t believe that.”
Meeks’ line of questioning was prompted by the release of Trump’s annual financial disclosure. This document indicated that over 3,600 securities transactions were executed in investment accounts managed for the president’s benefit during the first quarter of 2026.
The hearing also featured a tense back-and-forth as Meeks repeatedly asked whether Rubio had warned Trump that the conflict could escalate costs for gasoline, food, travel, and shipping.
Rubio avoided providing a direct yes-or-no answer, telling the congressman, “I don’t do yes or no answers.”
As Meeks persisted with his questioning, Rubio retorted, “You’re running out your five minutes. Did you? I don’t do yes or no. Quiet. You want to ask me a question? I’ll answer.”
During the hearing, Meeks did not reference any specific stock purchase or financial transaction linked to the U.S. operation against Iran.
Throughout the hearing, as Democratic lawmakers consistently challenged Rubio on a range of issues, from Trump’s finances and decision-making to broader accusations of corruption within the administration, the Secretary grew increasingly exasperated with the proceedings’ tone.
“Is this the Foreign Affairs Committee, or is this like a circus? What is this?” Rubio questioned during one exchange.
At another juncture, Representative Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California, presented videos he claimed showed Trump falling asleep during meetings. Lieu accused Rubio of misleading Congress when he denied this.
“I’ve never seen him fall asleep,” Rubio countered. He later defended Trump’s work ethic, stating that the president “literally doesn’t sleep” and “works day and night, long hours every single day.”
Lieu also raised questions about Trump’s cognitive fitness. This prompted Rubio to retaliate, saying, “We had a cognitively impaired president in office a few years ago,” an apparent reference to former President Joe Biden.
Later in the hearing, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat from California, accused the administration of lacking transparency regarding Venezuela oil contracts and alleged corruption involving Trump allies. Rubio dismissed these accusations as “false” and “defamatory.” He repeatedly complained that lawmakers were not allowing him sufficient time to answer questions before reclaiming their allotted time.
“What kind of thing is this? What is this? You know, you get asked questions for five minutes and you don’t get time to answer. It’s not a hearing,” Rubio expressed.
As the exchange continued, Rubio added, “Is this a dunk tank, what is this?”
Rubio made the earlier “circus” remark during a separate exchange with Representative Sara Jacobs, a Democrat from California. Jacobs criticized his handling of the administration’s foreign policy and mentioned a pair of shoes Trump had allegedly given him. Rubio responded that the shoes fit well before expressing disbelief that the committee was discussing footwear.
“Are you guys kidding me?” Rubio asked.
