White House Responds to Cuba 'Deal' Question

Press Secretary Leavitt says president believes 'Cuban regime is bound to fall'

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:25pm

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek that President Donald Trump has made it 'clear' that 'the Cuban regime is bound to fall' and that the president 'knows the Cuban regime wants a deal.'

Why it matters

For decades, the U.S. has been vocal in its opposition to Cuba's government, although diplomatic ties were restored somewhat during former President Barack Obama's administration. Trump has alluded to a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba but offered scant details on ongoing diplomatic efforts with Havana. The Trump administration has floated regime change in other parts of the world this year, including Venezuela and Iran.

The details

Leavitt said the president believes 'the Cuban regime wants a deal' as the country faces its worst economic collapse in decades and an energy crisis. She said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been engaged in conversations with Cuban officials as directed by the president. Trump has previously said a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba 'may or may not be friendly' but has not provided specifics.

  • On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke to Newsweek about Cuba.
  • In January, President Trump met with Latin American leaders in Florida and called for crackdowns on drug cartels while predicting Cuba's 'imminent collapse'.

The players

Karoline Leavitt

White House Press Secretary.

Donald Trump

President of the United States.

Marco Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State.

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What they’re saying

“The president's made it quite clear, it's his belief, based on fact, that the Cuban regime is bound to fall.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

“This is a topic everyone has been debating. Look, I don't think there's the appetite to put boots on the ground in Cuba. I think some of this happens organically. I think the system is in the process of collapsing because it's a socialist regime and those experiments never work.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

“Trump should pursue diplomacy with Cuba and respect its sovereignty. Obama's deal with Cuba that @brhodes spearheaded was done without threatening war. A deal would allow American and Cuban entrepreneurs to invest in Cuba and help Cuba recover and modernize economically.”

— Ro Khanna, Representative, California Democrat

What’s next

The White House has not specified what a potential deal with Cuba may look like, but USA Today has reported it could include loosening travel restrictions and other economic agreements that prioritize U.S. interests.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's approach to Cuba reflects its broader strategy of pursuing regime change in adversarial nations, raising concerns about the use of force and the violation of international law. However, some lawmakers have called for diplomacy and respect for Cuba's sovereignty as a path forward.