The 27th season of South Park has premiered with a provocative episode that takes aim at former US President Donald Trump and entertainment giant Paramount, its own parent company. The episode, titled Sermon on the ’Mount, satirises Paramount’s recent decision to pay a $16 mln settlement to Trump, just as the studio sought federal approval for a multibillion-dollar merger. South Park’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, use the episode to deliver one of their most direct and uncompromising critiques in years.
True to South Park’s hallmark style of topical humour and rapid production, the episode presents a hyperbolised version of Donald Trump, borrowing animation cues from the show’s earlier depictions of global political figures. This fictionalised portrayal is exaggerated, often absurd, and used to lampoon both Trump’s litigious nature and perceived disregard for his own supporters. Notably, the episode includes visual metaphors and surreal humour that push the boundaries of animated satire, including one controversial scene featuring a digitally altered image of Trump in a dream-like desert sequence.
During a Comic-Con panel in San Diego, Trey Parker addressed backlash from the White House with a deliberately understated response: «We’re terribly sorry,» delivered with a long pause for comedic effect. His co-creator Matt Stone later disclosed that the production team debated for days how to approach a particular visual gag, eventually settling on a surreal solution that allowed the content to be aired without censorship.
Corporate Critique: Paramount’s Legal Settlement Under Fire
In addition to its political satire, the episode targets Paramount for its perceived capitulation to Trump. Within the plot, the town of South Park is sued by the fictionalised president for hosting a public figure, Jesus Christ, at a local school. The character of Jesus warns residents of the dangers of resisting, noting what happened to CBS and linking it to Paramount’s recent actions. This is a clear reference to the real-world fallout following The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which was cancelled shortly after Colbert criticised the studio’s legal decision.
The timing of the episode is particularly pointed. It aired just hours after Parker and Stone finalised a $1.5 bn agreement with Paramount for the production of 50 new episodes and expanded streaming rights, making the show’s internal criticism of its own network all the more notable. Fellow Paramount talent Jon Stewart also voiced disapproval in a recent segment of The Daily Show, responding with an impassioned performance aimed at the studio’s leadership.
White House Responds to Satirical Depiction
The White House issued a formal statement condemning the episode. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers characterised the show as a fading cultural relic and accused it of attempting to attract attention through provocation:
«This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.»
Rogers also praised Trump’s recent record in office, asserting that «no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.»
Despite the controversy, South Park’s creators remain unfazed. «We didn’t even know three days ago if people would like it,» Parker admitted during the Comic-Con event, referencing the show’s famously tight turnaround. This production model allows the series to reflect current events in near real time, a rarity in animation, and ensures that each episode remains highly responsive to global headlines.
Kursiv also reports that Netflix’s gothic hit Wednesday, led by Jenna Ortega as the sardonic heroine, has officially been renewed for a third season.
