After years of artfully dodging direct parody of Donald Trump, the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have made the former—and current—U.S. president a central figure in their satirical universe. The decision, which marks a significant creative shift for the long-running Comedy Central series, has not only stirred controversy but also sparked a remarkable resurgence in viewership. According to Nielsen data reported by The New York Times and USA TODAY, South Park’s audience has doubled compared to 2023, demonstrating that sharp political satire, when executed with Parker and Stone’s signature irreverence, still packs a punch.
For nearly a decade, Parker and Stone famously avoided lampooning Trump directly, instead deploying the character Mr. Garrison as a symbolic stand-in during the tumultuous mid-2010s. But as the lines between politics and pop culture blurred, the duo felt compelled to tackle Trump head-on. “It’s not that we got all political,” Parker told The New York Times. “It’s that politics became pop culture.” Stone echoed this sentiment, explaining, “There was a bit of a taboo in needling the president,” referencing speculation that Trump might retaliate against entertainment industry critics. “Trey and I are attracted to that like flies to honey. Oh, that’s where the taboo is? Over there? OK, then we’re over there.”
The timing of their pivot was no accident. With a new deal inked with Paramount, Parker and Stone found themselves with greater creative autonomy. “We just had to show our independence somehow,” Stone said. The result was a bold new era for South Park, one that placed Trump at the center of the show’s comedic crosshairs.
The first episode to feature Trump directly, “Sermon on the ’Mount,” aired on July 23, 2025. The episode wasted no time pushing boundaries. Trump was depicted in bed with Satan, while the story skewered his legal troubles, his cabinet, and even Paramount’s own legal settlement with the president. The episode’s audacious approach didn’t go unnoticed. Influential podcaster Joe Rogan described it as “fng hilarious,” adding, “There’s so much chaos. It’s so fed up. There’s just so much madness. Oh my God. Did you see the episode? They did a Donald Trump one with Satan.”
What was intended as a one-off gag quickly evolved into something much larger. As Parker explained, the initial plan was for Trump to appear in a single episode. But the enthusiastic response from fans—and, perhaps, the writers’ own curiosity—prompted them to expand the storyline into a serialized arc spanning multiple seasons. Trump soon became a recurring character, dominating Season 27 and continuing into the newly launched Season 28. This creative gamble has paid off handsomely, with Comedy Central enjoying a ratings windfall and South Park reclaiming its reputation as one of television’s most daring comedies.
Not everyone is laughing, however. The White House fired back almost immediately following the season premiere. In a statement to Fox News Digital and USA TODAY, a spokesperson dismissed the series as “fourth-rate,” adding, “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 spokesperson 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.”
Despite the White House’s fiery rebuke, Parker and Stone maintain that their satire is not motivated by partisan politics. “We’re just very down-the-middle guys,” Parker said to The New York Times. “Any extremists of any kind, we make fun of. We did it for years with the woke thing. That was hilarious to us. And this is hilarious to us.” Stone concurred, emphasizing that their comedic instincts drive them to lampoon whatever is taboo or culturally dominant, regardless of ideology.
Indeed, the show’s willingness to mock all sides has become a hallmark of its nearly 30-year run. In a recent Halloween-themed episode, South Park even parodied its own political focus. The character Stan lamented, “How many weeks has it been now, dealing with one stupid thing after another? The truth is, I think a lot of people are afraid to admit it.” Stan’s speech continued: “Yeah, everyone knows South Park sucks now and it’s because all this political stuff is being totally bogged down in it—remember when we used to do stuff, ever since all this political crap took over.” This self-aware moment captured the creators’ understanding of audience fatigue and their own evolving relationship with political content.
Yet, even for Parker and Stone, there are lines they won’t cross. After conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier in 2025, South Park quietly pulled a recent episode that had parodied him. The episode had mocked Kirk’s delivery and mannerisms, with a now-viral scene featuring Cartman ranting about abortion while sitting on a toilet before storming a college rally, Bible in hand, as a self-declared “master debater.” The creators’ decision to withdraw the episode was a rare moment of restraint, signaling respect in the wake of real-world tragedy. According to Daily Mail, some of Kirk’s allies have since called for the episode’s restoration, but Parker and Stone have not commented further on the matter.
Broadcasting executive Doug Herzog told The New York Times that Parker and Stone “met the moment in a way only they could do,” adapting to a turbulent time in politics and entertainment and making it work to their advantage. “It all created a perfect storm for them, and they jumped right into it,” Herzog said.
The show’s renewed focus on Trump and the broader political landscape has not only revived its ratings but also reignited debates about the role of satire in American culture. Some critics argue that South Park’s approach risks amplifying cynicism or trivializing serious issues, while others praise its willingness to skewer sacred cows of every stripe. The creators themselves seem unfazed by the controversy, insisting that their only allegiance is to comedy. As Parker put it, “We’re just very down-the-middle guys.”
With South Park now entering its 28th season, the show’s legacy as a fearless provocateur appears secure. By embracing the chaos of the political moment and refusing to play favorites, Parker and Stone have reminded audiences—and their critics—that in their world, nothing is truly off-limits, except, perhaps, for the tragedies that hit too close to home.
