US President Donald Trump created a deeply awkward moment for his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, after he accidentally read a private note aloud during a high-level meeting on Venezuela's oil reserves.
An Embarrassing Slip at the White House
The incident occurred on January 10, 2026, during discussions about the future of Venezuela's vast oil resources. This came less than a week after American special forces captured the country's former leader, Nicolas Maduro. The 79-year-old president was handed a discreet note by Rubio, intended for his eyes only.
In a significant blunder, Trump snatched the piece of paper and proceeded to read its contents to the room. "Marco just gave me a note," Trump announced before quoting it verbatim: "'Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something.'" He then added, "Go ahead, I'm going back to Chevron. Thank you, Marco."
Video of the meeting shows Rubio smiling awkwardly as his confidential message was broadcast. Trump appeared to realise his mistake too late, attempting to smooth over the situation by giving his Secretary of State a hearty slap on the back.
A Series of Bizarre Moments
The note reading was not the only unusual event during the gathering with oil executives. Mid-sentence, President Trump suddenly stood up, declaring he had to "take a look outside." He walked slowly to the White House windows to observe construction work.
The site is where the East Wing was recently demolished to make way for a new ballroom extension. After admiring the view, Trump returned to the table, calling it "an unusual time to look." He then offered journalists, whom he routinely labels "fake news," a chance to see the progress for themselves.
"If the fake news would like to take a look, you can," he said. "You'll see a very big foundation we are moving. We are ahead of schedule on the ballroom and under budget." Upon resuming his seat, he boasted, "I don't think there will be anything like it in the world, actually."
Greenland Threats and Global Strategy
During the same press conference, President Trump made headlines with a stark warning regarding Greenland. He threatened to take action on the world's largest island "whether they like it or not."
Trump claimed that if the United States did not "do something on Greenland," the territory would be taken over by global rivals Russia or China. This assertive statement underscores the administration's continued focus on geopolitical competition and resource security.
The combination of the private note gaffe and the unexpected geopolitical comments made for a highly irregular White House briefing, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Trump's leadership style.
