The creators of the iconic animated series “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, made a triumphant return on Wednesday with a highly anticipated episode that took direct aim at both the parent company of their network and former President Donald Trump. This delayed Season 27 premiere centers on the controversial theme of the ending of wokeness and features a plot twist where a character resembling Trump sues the residents of South Park for a staggering $5 billion after they protest the appearance of Jesus in local schools.
In a striking moment, the character representing Jesus states, “I didn’t want to come back and be in the school, but I had to because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount.” This reference to Comedy Central, which is owned by Paramount, underscores the ongoing litigation surrounding its anticipated sale. The Jesus character further elaborates, “You guys saw what happened to CBS? Well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount. You really want to end up like Colbert? You guys got to stop being stupid.”
The episode cleverly depicts the Trump character as a sensitive bully, who resorts to threats of tariffs or lawsuits against anyone who dares to oppose him. In a particularly controversial scene, the show juxtaposes a photo of Trump with animation, illustrating him in bed with Satan. “It’s weird that whenever it comes up, you just tell everyone to relax,” Satan remarks to Trump regarding the Epstein case, echoing the show’s long-standing tradition of addressing current events with sharp satire.
Longtime fans of “South Park” will recall that the creators previously tackled similar themes back in 1999, when they depicted Saddam Hussein in an infamous relationship with Satan. In this latest episode, Satan tells the Trump character that he reminds him of a former partner, adding another layer of complexity to the show's biting humor.
Just weeks before the premiere, Parker and Stone voiced their frustrations regarding the planned acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media, highlighting how it has impacted their contract negotiations. They candidly described the merger as a “stshow” that is “fking up South Park,” while expressing their hope that fans would still be able to enjoy the new episodes they are diligently working on.
The premiere of this week coincides with a significant announcement that Parker and Stone have successfully negotiated a $1.5 billion deal for streaming all episodes of “South Park” on Paramount+, alongside an order for an additional 50 episodes to air on Comedy Central. A source familiar with the deal confirmed the $1.5 billion valuation for the streaming agreement, marking a major milestone for the beloved series.
As “South Park” continues to push boundaries with its satire, fans eagerly anticipate how the show will evolve in light of current events and corporate dynamics. With Parker and Stone at the helm, the show is sure to remain a staple of cultural commentary for years to come.
