The animated series South Park premiered its 27th season with a pointed critique of both former President Donald Trump and its corporate parent, Paramount, shortly after announcing a substantial deal valued at $1.5 billion. This agreement, revealed on July 2, 2023, includes the production of 50 new episodes over the next five years and reflects a significant investment in the long-running show.
In the premiere episode titled “Sermon on the ‘Mount,'” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker lampoon Trump as he sues the fictional town of South Park for $5 billion in response to community actions against the figure of Jesus Christ in their local school. Stone provides the voice for both Trump and Jesus in a satirical portrayal that emphasizes the absurdity of the situation.
The episode critiques the entertainment industry’s relationship with Trump, particularly in light of recent events involving Paramount. Just hours after the deal announcement, the show descended into a sharp commentary on the network’s dealings with the former president. Jesus Christ, voiced by Stone, warns the townspeople about the consequences of opposing Trump, referencing the network’s relationship with CBS and its recent controversies.
“You guys saw what happened to CBS? Yeah, well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount,” Jesus Christ dramatically states, echoing the tension surrounding Paramount’s business decisions. This biting commentary comes as the network faces scrutiny for its perceived compliance with Trump’s administration, especially during a proposed merger with Skydance Media, a company led by David Ellison.
The timing of the episode raises eyebrows, particularly after Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit from Trump, who claimed that CBS had deceptively edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. CBS has firmly denied these allegations. Following the lawsuit settlement, CBS announced plans to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2024, describing the decision as “purely a financial one.” Critics argue that Colbert’s cancellation is a direct repercussion of his long-standing anti-Trump sentiment.
The episode also touches on broader themes, including discussions around the so-called death of “wokeness,” the rise of artificial intelligence with ChatGPT, and the ongoing debates regarding Christian teachings in public education. Notably, it features a segment mimicking 60 Minutes, where hosts nervously praise Trump, highlighting the tension within the media landscape.
The depiction of Trump in “Sermon on the ‘Mount'” is particularly striking. Stone and Parker employ a visual style reminiscent of the 1999 film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, portraying Trump as petulant and childlike. The episode culminates in a surreal, AI-generated video of Trump wandering in a desert, stripping away his clothes, which adds to the provocative nature of the satire.
This latest episode of South Park, while typical in its bold satire, raises questions about the implications of corporate relationships in the media. Paramount, which owns CBS and a range of cable brands including Comedy Central, remains at the center of discussions regarding its influence and the integrity of its productions.
As the entertainment landscape evolves, the creators of South Park continue to challenge both political and corporate powers, using humor as a lens to critique the complexities of modern society. Paramount has yet to issue a comment regarding the episode’s content or its implications for its ongoing business strategy.
