Trending Now - South Park's Trump Parody Evolved Amid Unexpected Backlash
WHO:
Alternet - Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the creators of South Park.
Alternet - President Donald Trump is the subject of the show's parody.
The Hollywood Reporter - Mike De Luca is the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chair and CEO.
The Hollywood Reporter - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem are also mocked in the show.
The Hollywood Reporter - FCC Chair Branden Carr is mentioned as ramping up attacks on media entities critical of Trump.
WHAT:
Alternet - South Park initially planned to feature President Trump in only one episode.
Alternet - The show’s 27th and 28th seasons scored record-high ratings.
The Hollywood Reporter - The first episode of season 27 aired in July 2025 and depicted Trump in a relationship with Satan.
The Hollywood Reporter - A deepfake version of Trump was shown exposing his genitals.
The Hollywood Reporter - The White House called the show “fourth-rate” and claimed it “hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years.”
The Hollywood Reporter - South Park's ratings soared to the highest since 2018 after the White House's response.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - The promotional event took place in Los Angeles.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - Season 27 premiered on July 23, 2025.
The Hollywood Reporter - Season 29 is set to premiere on Sept. 16.
WHY:
Alternet - The angry reaction from the White House and MAGA loyalists inspired Parker and Stone to continue mocking Trump.
The Hollywood Reporter - Parker stated that the pushback became a joke, leading them to continue their parody.
HOW:
Alternet - South Park produces episodes on a weekly basis, allowing for timely responses to current events.
The Hollywood Reporter - Parker and Stone worked out a new deal with Paramount amid a tense dispute over streaming rights.
(UPDATED May 21, 2026 23:23 UTC)
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have turned their attention back to President Trump in their animated series South Park, which initially planned to feature him in just one episode. The show's 27th and 28th seasons have achieved record-high ratings, especially after the White House labeled it "fourth-rate," prompting Parker and Stone to ramp up their parody of Trump and other political figures. Season 29 is set to premiere on September 16, and with their ability to produce episodes weekly, the creators continue to respond to current events with timely satire.