MAGA influencer Michael Flynn Jr. apparently thought the best way he could “celebrate” the start of Pride month was by posting an anti-gay meme.
But his trolling efforts failed because of his choice of meme ― a doctored clip from the beloved sitcom “Parks and Recreation” showing character Ron Swanson tossing a Pride flag into a dumpster.
That’s because Nick Offerman, the actor who played Swanson, responded to Flynn with some truths about his character’s relationship with gay people.
It all started Sunday when Flynn — the son of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who briefly served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser during his first term — posted the “Parks and Rec” clip.
In the original scene from the Season 4 episode “The Trial Of Leslie Knope,” Swanson throws a computer into the dumpster.
Flynn Jr.’s version covered up the computer with a Pride flag, and he wrote:
“Good morning and Happy Sunday!
No quotes today.
Just wanted to post how I feel about ‘pride’ month.”
Because Swanson’s character was written as a loving spoof of manly, taciturn guys, he became an unironic favorite character of conservatives during the show’s seven-season run between 2009 and 2015.
Offerman, the actor who played Swanson, is definitely more liberal than the gruff director of the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department. But he responded to Flynn’s anti-Pride post by noting that Swanson had no problem with gay people ― and pointed out that “Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb fuck.”
Offerman is referring to a scene in the show’s series finale that shows some of the characters in the future, including Swanson standing up as best man at the wedding of his barber, Typhoon, to his husband, Craig.
You can see a clip of that scene as well as other exchanges between Swanson and Typhoon here.
Not surprisingly, many people had thoughts about Offerman attempting to set the record straight about his character’s live-and-let-live philosophy while simultaneously burning Flynn.
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Sorry about people lacking self awareness Nick.
I pity the worms that are gonna eat their broken hearts.
I think it’s funny that I hear more about Pride month from homophobes than from actual members of the LGBTQ community
— Matt, self loathing specialist (@Matt2517) June 2, 2025