Politics in Hollywood is usually pretty predictable. You’ve got your loud activists on both sides, and then you’ve got the quiet ones. But Kevin Costner? He’s a whole different kind of puzzle. People are constantly asking does Kevin Costner like Trump, mostly because he plays John Dutton, the quintessential red-state icon on Yellowstone.
It makes sense why fans get confused. He looks the part of a conservative hero. He rides horses, wears the hat, and defends the land. But if you actually listen to what the man says when the cameras stop rolling, the picture gets a lot more complicated. Honestly, he’s one of the few actors who seems to genuinely annoy people on both ends of the political spectrum.
The Liz Cheney Factor
If you want to know how Costner feels about the MAGA movement, you have to look at his support for Liz Cheney. That was a big moment. Back in 2022, he didn't just give a vague quote; he put on a T-shirt that said "I'm for Liz Cheney" and posed for a photo.
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Now, why does that matter?
Because Liz Cheney became the face of the anti-Trump Republicans. Costner knew exactly what he was doing. He told The Huffington Post and several other outlets that he was "very proud" of her. He called her a person "completely at odds with her party" who was willing to stand up for what she believed in. For a lot of Trump supporters, that was a bridge too far. They saw it as a direct betrayal of the "cowboy values" they thought he represented.
But Costner didn't blink. He basically said that public service isn't about ego or a career. It's about doing the right thing, even if it costs you everything. This is a recurring theme with him. He seems to value "character" over any specific policy or party line.
Is He a Secret Democrat?
Not really. He’s been an independent for a long time.
He was a registered Republican for years—all through the Reagan and Bush eras. He’s often said he doesn't like the way the parties have become so polarized. In a 2020 interview with The Daily Beast, he was pretty blunt. He mentioned that he didn't think the "tough-guy" act in the White House was helpful. While he didn't use every breath to attack Donald Trump, he made it clear he wasn't a fan of the rhetoric.
He eventually supported Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 primaries. Think about that for a second. Going from a Reagan Republican to a Mayor Pete supporter is quite the pivot. Later, he voiced his support for Joe Biden, mostly because he felt the country needed a "steady hand."
Does Kevin Costner Like Trump in 2026?
As we look at the landscape in early 2026, Costner’s stance hasn't softened much. He’s been busy with his massive Western epic Horizon: An American Saga, and he’s used that press tour to talk a lot about American identity.
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In a recent chat at a Super Bowl party in New Orleans in February 2025, he was asked about the current administration. His answer was classic Costner: "I think you make the best movie you can for an audience and understand that... you have a chance to do something meaningful. It doesn’t matter about the party in office."
He’s trying to stay above the fray, but the subtext is usually there. He has frequently criticized "ego-driven" leadership. To him, the "America First" style of politics often feels like it's more about the leader than the land.
- He values tradition: This is why Republicans like him.
- He supports environmental causes: This is why Democrats claim him.
- He hates bullies: This is why he and Trump don't vibe.
Basically, he’s a centrist who misses the "old way" of doing things. He wants politicians to be like the characters in his movies—stoic, selfless, and willing to take a bullet for the common good. In his eyes, modern politics—and specifically the Trump brand—is a bit too loud and a bit too self-centered.
The "Yellowstone" Divide
The irony of the whole does Kevin Costner like Trump debate is that his most famous modern role, John Dutton, would probably vote for Trump without hesitation.
The show is a massive hit in rural America. It deals with property rights, tradition, and fighting off the "woke" outsiders from the city. But Costner has been very careful to separate himself from the character. He’s told Variety that he doesn't see Yellowstone as a political show, even though the rest of the world does.
When people call it a "Red State" show, he sort of shrugs it off. He thinks it’s just a story about a family trying to survive. But this gap between the actor and the role is where all the confusion starts. Fans want him to be the man on the horse. In reality, he’s a guy from California who thinks Liz Cheney is a hero and that we all need to "set aside our egos."
Breaking Down His Voting Record
Costner isn't a "party line" guy. He’s a "person" guy.
- He supported Reagan in the 80s because he liked the optimism.
- He shifted away as he felt the GOP became too focused on social issues.
- He backed Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico.
- He campaigned for Buttigieg because he liked his military background and calm demeanor.
He’s looking for a specific type of leader. He wants a "statesman." Someone who looks good in a suit but knows how to work. He hasn't found that in the MAGA movement.
What to Make of It All
If you're looking for a simple "yes" or "no" on whether Kevin Costner likes Trump, the answer is a pretty firm no.
But it’s not a "no" born out of radical Hollywood liberalism. It’s a "no" born out of a very old-school, almost 1950s version of Republicanism. He thinks the current state of the GOP is too chaotic. He thinks the rhetoric is too divisive. He’s disappointed by the "immaturity" he sees in the political debates.
He’s even gone as far as to suggest that maybe what the country needs is a woman at the helm to finally get things sorted out. That doesn't sound like someone who is waiting for another Trump term.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a fan of Kevin Costner and you’re trying to reconcile your own politics with his, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Focus on the Art: Costner himself says movies should have "nothing to do with politics." You can enjoy Dances with Wolves or Yellowstone regardless of who he voted for.
- Watch Horizon: If you want to see his true "political" statement, watch his Horizon series. It shows his nuanced view of American history—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
- Look for the Middle Ground: Costner’s "independence" is a reminder that you don't have to fit into a box. You can like the outdoors and still care about the environment; you can like tradition and still want new leadership.
At the end of the day, Kevin Costner is a man who loves the idea of America more than any specific politician. He’s looking for a hero, and he just doesn't think Donald Trump fits the script he’s writing.
If you want to understand him better, stop looking at his Twitter and start looking at the themes of his movies. He believes in the land, he believes in duty, and he believes in being a gentleman. Right now, he doesn't see those things being prioritized in the current political climate. That’s about as clear an answer as you’re ever going to get from the man behind the ranch.
To stay truly informed, look for his long-form interviews with people like Michael Smerconish or his appearances on the View—these are the places where he drops the "John Dutton" mask and speaks his mind. You'll find a guy who is much more concerned with the "soul of the nation" than he is with winning an argument on cable news.