New Rick and Morty Spinoff Forced to Cut Trump Joke for Being “Too Real”

The Rick and Morty spinoff, President Curtis, is set to premiere on Adult Swim this July 26. For creators Dan Harmon and James Siciliano, the timing of a series centered on the Commander-in-Chief feels somewhat surreal, especially given the current, historically low public approval ratings of the real-world presidency.

“If we had a crystal ball, perhaps we would have focused on the pope instead,” Harmon quipped during a Q&A session at the Annecy Festival following the pilot’s screening. “It’s a tough climate for political satire. Who could have predicted four years ago how exhausted audiences would be with the political landscape?”

The genesis of President Curtis dates back to the 2021 Rick and Morty episode “Rick & Morty’s Thanksploitation Spectacular,” which featured a memorable clash between Rick Sanchez and President Andre Curtis. According to Harmon, the development phase wasn’t born from a peaceful era, but rather a belief that the world was already bordering on the absurd.

Keith David returns to voice President Andre Curtis, a character Harmon describes as a blend of Parks and Recreation’s earnest Leslie Knope and Batman’s high-tech gadgetry. While the original version in Rick and Morty had a more cynical edge—at one point leading a hive mind to manipulate polls—this iteration is intentionally more altruistic.

“He’s essentially a golden retriever in a suit,” Harmon explained. “He’s hardwired to serve, rescue, and protect—he’s the ultimate do-gooder.”

Harmon admitted they had to scrap specific script elements that felt too close to reality. “I wanted to highlight his Boy Scout-like commitment to global harmony, even suggesting he add more stars to the flag,” Harmon noted. “But as soon as real-world headlines began mirroring those ideas, we had to cut the material. It hit too close to home.”

Despite the public’s current fatigue with political figures, Siciliano believes there is something inherently refreshing about a protagonist who is driven by genuine duty rather than personal gain.

“He isn’t interested in partisan games or self-promotion,” Siciliano added. “He is completely devoted to his post, and in today’s environment, that feels almost radical.”

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Source: Polygon