South Park co-creator Trey Parker delivered a tongue-in-cheek apology to President Donald Trump following controversy over the animated show’s season 27 premiere.
The episode, which aired Wednesday, featured the president in a compromising scene with recurring character Satan. When asked about audience reactions during a Comic-Con International panel in San Diego, Parker responded with mock seriousness: “We’re terribly sorry.”
The White House issued a sharp response to the episode, stating: “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.” The statement continued: “President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.”
Parker participated in the panel alongside co-creator Matt Stone, Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge, and actor Andy Samberg, who co-created animated show Digman!
Since 1997, South Park has followed four schoolboys – Cartman, Kenny, Kyle and Stan – living in South Park, Colorado. The satirical animated series frequently targets authority figures and current events.
The Guardian’s Stuart Heritage described it as “South Park’s most furious episode ever,” noting the show’s closing voiceover about the president: “His penis is teeny tiny, but his love for us is large.”
Parker revealed that producers requested content modifications before broadcast. “They said, ‘OK, but we’re gonna blur the penis,’ and I said, ‘No you’re not gonna blur the penis,'” he explained.
The episode aired on Paramount+ following recent corporate developments. The US Federal Communications Commission recently approved a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, first announced in 2024. This approval came weeks after Paramount Global agreed to pay $16m to settle a legal dispute with Trump over a CBS interview with former Vice-President Kamala Harris.
The timing also coincides with CBS’s announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026 after 33 years. Colbert has been known as one of Trump’s most vocal late-night television critics.
The South Park episode directly addressed the Paramount-Trump legal dispute, airing just hours after Parker and Stone signed a five-year deal with Paramount+ for 50 new episodes and streaming rights. Following a months-long bidding war between streaming platforms, the Los Angeles Times and other outlets reported the deal’s value at $1.5bn. New episodes will first appear on Comedy Central before streaming on Paramount+.
In the episode titled “Sermon on the ‘Mount,” Trump sues the town of South Park, prompting recurring character Jesus to advise settlement: “You guys saw what happened to CBS?… Do you really want to end up like Colbert?”
Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall praised the episode as “glorious,” noting it addressed “Trump’s obsession with using lawsuits to silence media and political opponents, ChatGPT, the injection of religion into America’s public schools, government censorship, and corporations caving to pressure.”
Hollywood Reporter’s Kevin Dolak called the premiere “shocking” and “hilarious, and as expected, controversial.”
Parker admitted uncertainty about future content direction. “I don’t know what next week’s episode is going to be,” he told the panel. “Even just three days ago, we were like, ‘I don’t know if people are going to like this’.”
In 2017, Parker acknowledged the show had fallen into a “trap” of weekly Trump-focused episodes. “We’re becoming: ‘Tune in to see what we’re going to say about Trump.’ Matt [Stone, co-creator] and I hated it but we got stuck in it somehow,” he told The Los Angeles Times. He expressed desire for the show to return to its original focus of “kids being kids and being ridiculous and outrageous.”
About the author
Bolsonaro Supporters Rally Nationwide as Trump Sanctions Brazil Over Coup Trial
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have demonstrated across major cities protesting the Supreme Court coup trial that could result in lengthy prison sentences for the former leader. Protesters gathered Sunday in Sรฃo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities, carrying Brazilian and United States flags in apparent reference to President Donald Trump's support for his political ally. Demonstrators displayed banners featuring images of both Bolsonaro and Trump while chanting supportive slogans. Bolsonaro faces accusations of attempting to overturn the 2022 election results after losing to left-wing opponent and current President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva. In January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's congress, ransacking chambers and attacking police in scenes reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. According to testimony from a Brazilian general, the alleged plotters also planned to assassinate […]
Smithsonian Museum Quietly Removes Trump Impeachment Display Sparking Political Firestorm
The Smithsonian Institution has denied political influence in its decision to remove a display about President Donald Trump's impeachments from the National Museum of American History. The institution stated Saturday that it removed the "temporary" placard for failing to meet museum standards regarding "appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation." Officials explained the display was inconsistent with other exhibit sections and obstructed views of objects within its case. "We were not asked by any Administration or other government officials to remove content from the exhibit," the Smithsonian said in a statement. The institution, which operates 21 museums and the National Zoo, announced plans to update the impeachment section in coming weeks to "reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history." The Washington Post reported Thursday that the museum removed explicit references to Trump's impeachments last month, leaving the exhibit incorrectly stating […]
FBI Opens Major New Office in New Zealand to Counter China Threat
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established a standalone office in Wellington, New Zealand, marking a significant expansion of US law enforcement presence in the Asia Pacific region. The move represents both countries' coordinated efforts to address Chinese influence across the region. FBI Director Kash Patel personally traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate the office, emphasizing the "strong relationship" between the FBI and New Zealand's law enforcement and intelligence agencies during Thursday's opening. Speaking in a video shared by the US embassy, Patel highlighted US-New Zealand collaboration on China-related issues as particularly significant. "Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together โ countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, […]
NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Running Million Dollar Poker Ring From Mansion
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five co-defendants face federal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling enterprise from his Encino, California mansion. The 43-year-old former guard is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He appeared for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, facing a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison per count if convicted. Among those arrested Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. According to the unsealed federal indictment, Arenas and his co-defendants operated the illegal gambling business between September 2021 and July 2022. Arenas rented his Encino mansion to co-conspirators who hosted illegal "Pot […]
Messi Delivers Last Second Miracle Pass to Save Inter Miami From Embarrassment
Lionel Messi recorded two assists, including a crucial setup in the match's final moments, as Inter Miami defeated Atlas 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match marked Messi's return following a one-game suspension imposed by Major League Soccer for missing the All-Star game, along with teammate Jordi Alba. The 38-year-old Argentine proved decisive by setting up Marcelo Weigandt for the match-winning goal in stoppage time on Wednesday night. "It's a competition that we always do well in," Messi stated in Spanish during his post-match Apple TV interview. "I think we did a great job against a great team." Messi's first assist came in the 58th minute when he received a through ball from Sergio Busquets before delivering it to Telasco Segovia for an easy finish to open the scoring. Atlas responded through Rivaldo Lozano's equalizer […]
Russian Missiles Kill Six Including Child As Trump’s Peace Deadline Expires
At least six people were killed and more than 50 were wounded in a Russian drone and missile attack that hit multiple districts across Kyiv and collapsed an apartment building, Ukrainian officials reported. Among the fatalities was a six-year-old boy. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned the death toll could increase, with damage reported at over two dozen locations throughout the capital. The distinctive sound of Russian drones was audible for hours over Kyiv, punctuated by the explosive impact of missile strikes. Despite the ongoing attacks, they have persisted even after US President Donald Trump threatened stronger sanctions against Moscow if Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire by August 8. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 309 drones and cruise missiles overnight. While air defense systems intercepted some incoming projectiles, numerous strikes found their targets, […]
Related
Anfield Evacuated Minutes Before Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao Match
Liverpool's Anfield Main Stand was evacuated prior to their scheduled friendly match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The fixture was set to kick off at 5:00 p.m., with a second match between the same teams planned for 8:00 p.m. Spectators were directed to leave the stadium immediately after an alarm activation, as they were taking their seats. Officials have not yet disclosed the reason for the evacuation. Spectators leaving the stadium The matches represent Liverpool's preparation for the new Premier League season, featuring a combination of first-team players and academy prospects across two separate games against the Spanish club. The squad for the opening fixture includes Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, and Andy Robertson among the senior players selected. These friendlies mark Liverpool's return to Anfield following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The […]
Bolsonaro Supporters Rally Nationwide as Trump Sanctions Brazil Over Coup Trial
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have demonstrated across major cities protesting the Supreme Court coup trial that could result in lengthy prison sentences for the former leader. Protesters gathered Sunday in Sรฃo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities, carrying Brazilian and United States flags in apparent reference to President Donald Trump's support for his political ally. Demonstrators displayed banners featuring images of both Bolsonaro and Trump while chanting supportive slogans. Bolsonaro faces accusations of attempting to overturn the 2022 election results after losing to left-wing opponent and current President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva. In January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's congress, ransacking chambers and attacking police in scenes reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. According to testimony from a Brazilian general, the alleged plotters also planned to assassinate […]
Smithsonian Museum Quietly Removes Trump Impeachment Display Sparking Political Firestorm
The Smithsonian Institution has denied political influence in its decision to remove a display about President Donald Trump's impeachments from the National Museum of American History. The institution stated Saturday that it removed the "temporary" placard for failing to meet museum standards regarding "appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation." Officials explained the display was inconsistent with other exhibit sections and obstructed views of objects within its case. "We were not asked by any Administration or other government officials to remove content from the exhibit," the Smithsonian said in a statement. The institution, which operates 21 museums and the National Zoo, announced plans to update the impeachment section in coming weeks to "reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history." The Washington Post reported Thursday that the museum removed explicit references to Trump's impeachments last month, leaving the exhibit incorrectly stating […]
FBI Opens Major New Office in New Zealand to Counter China Threat
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established a standalone office in Wellington, New Zealand, marking a significant expansion of US law enforcement presence in the Asia Pacific region. The move represents both countries' coordinated efforts to address Chinese influence across the region. FBI Director Kash Patel personally traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate the office, emphasizing the "strong relationship" between the FBI and New Zealand's law enforcement and intelligence agencies during Thursday's opening. Speaking in a video shared by the US embassy, Patel highlighted US-New Zealand collaboration on China-related issues as particularly significant. "Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together โ countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, […]
NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Running Million Dollar Poker Ring From Mansion
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five co-defendants face federal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling enterprise from his Encino, California mansion. The 43-year-old former guard is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He appeared for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, facing a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison per count if convicted. Among those arrested Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. According to the unsealed federal indictment, Arenas and his co-defendants operated the illegal gambling business between September 2021 and July 2022. Arenas rented his Encino mansion to co-conspirators who hosted illegal "Pot […]
Russian Missiles Kill Six Including Child As Trump’s Peace Deadline Expires
At least six people were killed and more than 50 were wounded in a Russian drone and missile attack that hit multiple districts across Kyiv and collapsed an apartment building, Ukrainian officials reported. Among the fatalities was a six-year-old boy. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned the death toll could increase, with damage reported at over two dozen locations throughout the capital. The distinctive sound of Russian drones was audible for hours over Kyiv, punctuated by the explosive impact of missile strikes. Despite the ongoing attacks, they have persisted even after US President Donald Trump threatened stronger sanctions against Moscow if Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire by August 8. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 309 drones and cruise missiles overnight. While air defense systems intercepted some incoming projectiles, numerous strikes found their targets, […]
Be the first to leave a comment