Tessa Fleming

It's interesting the journey that he's been on in his political career because he appears now to be, you know, Donald Trump's rising star.

But as you pointed out, it wasn't always that way.

You know, Trump once dismissively nicknamed him Little Marco.

So how did he get into the president's corner?

First of all, I think the trial is stupid.

I think it's counterproductive.

We already have a flaming fire in this country, and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire.

But here's the bottom line, because I keep getting asked, what is this all about?

It's very simple.

Iran and these people in charge of Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and they will never have a nuclear weapon, and they most certainly will not have one as long as you're president of the United States.

On that point, it's very clear.

So how influential has he been then during his time in Trump's administration, do you think?

He seems to me, from what you're saying, to be, you know, lying in the long grass, playing the long game.

He has that aim, as you say, to be president of the US.

But what do you think the public's perception of him is like?

And, I mean, what does the future hold, in your opinion, for Marco Rubio?

Scott Lucas, thank you very much.

I'm Tessa Fleming.

Today's episode of The Indo Daily was produced by myself and Dave Hanratty, researched by Philip Cowman, recorded by Gavin Hennessy, with sound design by Adam Shanahan.

Archive clips from CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, ABC News, Sky News and The Irish Independent.