Nick Offerman Criticizes Trump $267M Cuts National Parks Budget

Nick Offerman, known for his role as Ron Swanson on "Parks and Recreation," sharply criticized President Donald Trump on "The Daily Show" for cutting $267 million from America's national parks budget. Offerman highlighted the consequences of these cuts, including a 24% reduction in staffing since Trump took office, resulting in long lines, overflowing trash, and scientists being forced to clean toilets. Trump plans to partially offset the budget reduction by increasing admission fees for foreign visitors, aiming to raise $90 million, a strategy Offerman derided as financially unsound. He underscored the importance of national parks, noting they contributed $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 and supported over 415,000 jobs, while also providing affordable vacation options for families. Offerman's monologue combined humor with serious concern, emphasizing that defunding parks harms both the environment and the economy. His comments reflect ongoing frustration with the Trump administration's approach to environmental and public land management.