WATCH: Rubio delivers keynote address at Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention

Marco Rubio used his keynote speech to the conservative Federalist Society to acknowledge that many Americans are struggling with the cost of living, while defending the Trump administration’s foreign policy and criticising international institutions. The address matters because economic concerns have hurt Republicans electorally, and Rubio’s remarks also carried a political tone as he has declined to say whether he will run for president in 2028.

Rubio said household ability to afford necessities, rather than stock market performance, is a better measure of the economy. He defended the war in Iran as necessary to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, while acknowledging its contribution to higher petrol prices and other costs. He also argued that economic prosperity requires long-term effort and accused international organisations and critics of using international law to constrain US decisions.