“He would think he’s an absolute idiot” — Nick Offerman reasons why his Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson would “despise” Trump
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Nick Offerman (Photo: Everett Collection)Actor Nick Offerman recently explained why he believed his Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson would “despise” Trump. While discussing his upcoming movie, Sovereign with IndieWire on Friday, July 11, 2025; the actor addressed playing characters with conservative or right-wing ideologies, despite being progressive in real life.
Offerman expressed his frustrations about people mischaracterizing Ron Swanson particularly those who claim that he would have "voted for Trump." Noting that Swanson was a "true libertarian who was cool with everybody," the actor added that he would have "despised Trump." He elaborated:
"(Swanson) would think he’s an absolute idiot. He would also despise him because he’s disrespectful to women and many others. And that’s just an example of all the people and value sets that Ron would despise, because Ron is a good person."
Notably in the show; Swanson is the director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee. He is known for his deadpan personality and his affinity to stick to stereotypically masculine traits like not crying or hunting. Nick Offerman's portrayal of the character has received accolades from fans and critics alike and even has a cult following.
"They somehow say, 'Well, he had a shotgun, so he must be one of us'"—Nick Offerman about people mischaracterizing Ron Swanson
During the conversation, Nick Offerman elaborated that people tend to take "their own reading" of Ron Swanson. Describing the character as "a wonderful creation from much more brilliant minds" than his, the actor noted that Swanson was a "true libertarian who was cool with everybody." He continued:
"And they somehow say, 'Well, he had a shotgun, so he must be one of us.' Like, dumb people insist that Ron Swanson would’ve voted for Trump."
Offerman reasoned that Swanson would "despise" Trump because the former "loved capitalism." He elaborated that Trump, by becoming a "public servant," would make Swanson think it was "the stupidest move." He added that Ron was a "good person" and Trump's actions, like disrespecting "women and many others," exemplify values the character would "despise."
Elsewhere in the interview, Nick Offerman noted that he prefers to "curb" himself and lets his ideology "fill his work." He added that only gets "loud on social media." The actor brought up a recent interaction with Michael Flynn Jr., son of former presidential candidate Michael Flynn. Michael used a doctored GIF of Ron Swanson to promote an anti-pride message.
In an X post shared last month, Flynn Jr. wrote:
"Good morning and Happy Sunday! No quotes today. Just wanted to post how I feel about “pride” month."
He included a GIF showing Swanson throwing a pride flag into a garbage bin. Notably, the original clip had Nick Offerman's character throwing a computer instead (during the show's fourth season).
Good morning and Happy Sunday!
— Michael Flynn Jr (@realmflynnJR) June 1, 2025
No quotes today.
Just wanted to post how I feel about “pride” month. pic.twitter.com/8sx3P02rsKIn response, the actor retweeted the post with the message:
"Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f**k. #HappyPride."
Offerman was referencing the Parks and Recreation series finale where Swanson was the best man to his hairdresser. During his interview, Nick explained that he felt compelled to respond as Flynn Jr. was "using (his) image and (his) character for hate." He added:
"But even that, it’s just dumb, because a troll like that guy, that’s all he wants to do is use my platform to create clickbait and get more people signed on to take his supplements."
This is not the first time Nick Offerman has called out the anti-LGBTQ crowd. The actor received criticism for playing a gay man, Bill, in The Last of Us. Addressing the "homophobic hate" coming his way while accepting a Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series award at the Independent Spirit Awards (for playing Bill), the actor stated:
"Stories with guts, that when homophobic hate comes my way and says, 'Why did you have to make it a gay story?' We say, 'Because you ask questions like that.' It’s not a gay story. It’s a love story, you a**hole."
Sovereign is based on the West Memphis police shootings in 2010 by Jerry (Offerman) and Joe Kane (Jacob Tremblay). In the film, the father-son pair align with the anti-government ideology of being Sovereign Citizens and clash with a chief of police (Dennis Quaid).
Sovereign is currently playing in theaters.
TOPICS: Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation, Sovereign (2025 film), Donald Trump, Michael Flynn Jr.