South Park’s Provocative Return

The American animated series South Park has made a striking comeback with its latest episode, taking a bold satirical jab at President Donald Trump. The season 27 premiere is reminiscent of the show’s earlier controversial portrayals, notably that of Saddam Hussein. This episode arrives amidst Paramount Global’s recent $16-million settlement with Trump over an edited interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, coinciding with the company’s pursuit of regulatory approval for an $8 billion merger. Critics have labeled this settlement as a potential capitulation by the media giant.

A Satirical Portrayal of Trump

In this episode, South Park spares no one, opening with Cartman lamenting Trump’s decision to cut funding for NPR, humorously complaining that the government “can’t cancel a show.” Trump’s animated counterpart is soon introduced, depicted in bed with Satan, his lover. This portrayal uses real photos of Trump awkwardly superimposed onto an animated body, echoing the treatment Saddam Hussein received in the 1999 South Park movie. According to USA Today, Satan even remarks that Trump and Saddam are “exactly alike.” The episode portrays Trump as a thin-skinned bully threatening legal action against his detractors.

Media and Legal References

One of the episode’s most pointed scenes features a fictional version of 60 Minutes, where hosts panic while reporting on Trump. They exclaim lines like “Oh boy, oh s

*, oh God” as a ticking time bomb plays on screen, directly referencing the lawsuit that led to CBS’s real-life settlement, as reported by The Guardian.

Themes of Wokeness and Religion

The plot delves into themes such as the “death of wokeness” and Trump’s push to reintroduce Christianity into schools. Jesus makes a physical appearance in the boys’ classroom, warning townspeople about potential repercussions similar to those faced by CBS. He cautions them with the line, “You saw what happened to CBS. You want to end up like Colbert? Just shut up or we’re going to be cancelled,” according to USA Today.

A Complex Timing for Paramount

The episode concludes with a deepfake version of Trump wandering through a desert and delivering a satirical message. As he collapses naked in the sand, his animated genitalia delivers the line, “I’m Donald J Trump and I approve this message,” followed by a voiceover stating, “His penis is teeny tiny, but his love for us is large.” This timing is particularly complex for South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are engaged in a $1.5-billion deal with Paramount+, granting exclusive streaming rights for the next five years. This places Paramount in a challenging position between supporting its flagship satire and appeasing political figures who could impact its business goals.

Creators’ Response to Backlash** Following the episode’s airing, Parker and Stone responded cheekily to any backlash during a Comic-Con animation panel. With a sly grin, Parker stated, “We’re terribly sorry,” alongside Stone and other creators like Mike Judge and Andy Samberg.