Get Schwifty

Lore & Background

The character of the President was created by Wes Archer and Tom Kauffman for this 2015 episode. He was initially written as a generic, unnamed stand-in for then-sitting President of the United States Barack Obama. The President shares a love–hate relationship with Rick Sanchez, often alternating between calling upon him and Morty Smith to protect America from various threats, to attempting to have him arrested or killed. In this first appearance, the President is simply referred to as The President, and his abrasive, pompous personality and humorous incompetence are established as he commands Rick and Morty to save the world through song.

In Their Own Story

The President is first seen in the Pentagon, where Rick and Morty have just teleported in. The President is informed that the massive alien head hovering over Earth is a Cromulon, demanding a live performance of a catchy new song or the planet will be destroyed. The President immediately orders Rick and Morty to compose and perform a song to save them. After Rick and Morty successfully perform "Get Schwifty" and save Earth, the President declares the pair heroes. This marks the beginning of the President's recurring role, where he will repeatedly call upon Rick and Morty for various threats in later episodes.

Reader's Guide

This episode introduces the President as a recurring character in the series. It establishes his dynamic with Rick and Morty, where he uses his authority to command them to solve global crises. The President's characterization here is that of a generic, unnamed leader who relies on Rick's genius to handle extraterrestrial threats. The episode also sets up the pattern for future interactions: the President calls on Rick and Morty, they save the day, and he publicly praises them. This episode is the first of many where the President's love–hate relationship with Rick is displayed, alternating between gratitude and later attempts to have Rick arrested or killed in subsequent seasons.

Did You Know?

• The President was initially written as a generic unnamed stand-in for then-sitting President Barack Obama.
• The character was created by Wes Archer and Tom Kauffman for this 2015 episode.
• The President is voiced by Keith David, who previously voiced a fictionalized version of himself as Vice President of the United States in the 2013 video game Saints Row IV.
• In this episode, the President orders Rick and Morty to compose a song to save Earth from a Cromulon, and after they succeed, he declares them heroes.
• The President's first name, Andre, was not revealed until the seventh season episode "Air Force Wong".