South Park’s season 27 premiere has already set the creative world ablaze with its long awaited plot-twist. It stars former President Donald Trump and wildly mixes his new legal battles with the media conglomerate Paramount Global. For the first time ever, Trump appears as an angry cartoon character in this episode. He joins series regular Satan as they explore Trump’s tumultuous relationship with Paramount and his shady history.
In one memorable scene, Trump shares a bed with the devil himself. Read what Trump’s legal woes mean for the campaign and the future of our democracy in their unvarnished discussion. That case is explored deeply on the episode, as is his long-running lawsuit against Paramount, which has received a healthy share of media attention since its announcement. That’s right, friends—Trump is threatening to sue the creators of South Park for $5 BILLION. He says because of the show, his good name has been irreparably harmed.
The episode addresses Trump’s infamous remarks aimed at Canada and touches upon the unsettling political climate following the Trump administration’s decision to withhold sensitive documents. This cinematic narrative uses satire to attack not only Trump’s behavior, but more importantly the far-reaching effects of media consolidation. The merger between Paramount and CBS is still pending approval from billionaire Trump pal Ajit Pai’s Federal Communications Commission.
7 Satan personally confronts Trump about the “Epstein list.” This is about the unreleased files currently in the possession of the U.S. government, which concern Trump’s 15-year social relationship with the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This moment in real life deepens the episode’s exploration of power and accountability, thematically, even further.
The episode is much more than just sharp political commentary. It includes Jesus, who does not want to go back into South Park schools due to legal obligations signed with Paramount. He 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.”
The episode’s narrative intensifies as Jesus warns his friends about the potential dangers associated with Paramount’s business decisions. He articulates a sense of urgency: “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…” He has the unlimited power to sue and jail and bribe and seduce everyone and anyone which he does freely. It’s the fucking president, dude… South Park is over.
Critics have noted the boldness of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, especially given their recent $1.5 billion deal with Paramount. Dylan Byers remarked on the episode’s significance, stating, “Hard to think of anything more defiant in media & entertainment recently than Trey Parker & Matt Stone going scorched earth on Paramount in a South Park season premiere on the heels of netting a $1.5 billion deal with the very same company.”
This newest episode takes an in-depth look at the news. It points to the deeper rifts in the entertainment industry. Even the famous nemesis of all things Trump, Stephen Colbert, raised a flag about the merger on his late nightly CBS show. He called it “a big fat bribe” after the news broke that Paramount and CBS would be pulling the plug on The Late Show.
In their own official statements, Parker and Stone reiterated just how disappointed they’ve been by the merger’s impact on their creative process. They remarked, “This merger is a shitshow and it’s fucking up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes, and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”
South Park goes over the line and under your skin with its searing social commentary and vitriolic comedy. Look out for more commentary on real world issues coming in future episodes!