Trey Parker’s Tongue-in-Cheek Apology to Trump Following ‘South Park’ Premiere
In a humorous twist, Trey Parker, co-creator of the long-running satirical series South Park, recently issued a mock apology to President Donald Trump. This comes after the show’s Season 27 premiere, which aired on Wednesday and contained several jabs at the president, including a controversial scene that showed him in bed with Satan.
The White House responded sharply to the episode, branding South Park as a “fourth-rate” show, claiming it is “hanging on by a thread” and suffers from “uninspired ideas” in what they termed a “desperate attempt for attention.”
Panel Discussion at Comic-Con
During a panel discussion at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Parker addressed the White House’s critique with a feigned seriousness, stating, “We’re terribly sorry.” This panel also featured co-creator Matt Stone, along with other notable figures like Mike Judge and Andy Samberg.
Following the episode’s airing, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers reiterated their stance, dismissively stating, “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years.” She asserted that no “fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak,” highlighting a perceived list of achievements from his administration.
A Bold Return to Controversy
The episode—aptly titled “Sermon on the Mount”—not only challenged Trump but also tackled the ongoing legal disputes between Paramount and the former president. The episode aired just hours after Parker and Stone signed a lucrative five-year deal with Paramount+, guaranteeing 50 new episodes along with streaming rights to previous seasons.
The deal is reportedly valued at $1.5 billion, which was reached after a competitive bidding war among major streaming platforms. New episodes will first air on Comedy Central before becoming available on Paramount+.
| Show Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Premiere Episode | Sermon on the Mount |
| Major Characters | Trump, Satan, Jesus |
| Deal Value | $1.5 billion |
| Number of New Episodes | 50 |
| Response from White House | “Desperate attempt for attention” |
Critics and fans alike have weighed in on the season premiere, with some praising it for its audacity. The Guardian’s Stuart Heritage described it as “South Park’s most furious episode ever.” Meanwhile, Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall noted its bold commentary on various current affairs, including Trump’s tendency to use legal action to silence dissent.
A Shift in Direction?
In a previous interview, Parker expressed concern that South Park had fallen into a routine of focusing on Trump. “We got stuck in a trap of mocking him weekly,” he stated in 2017. However, with this latest episode and the new deal, it appears that Parker and Stone are recommitting to their roots, injecting fresh narratives while embracing the absurdity that has long defined their work.
Whether this episode will mark a turning point for the show remains to be seen, but Parker himself acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their content. “Even just three days ago, we were like, ‘I don’t know if people are going to like this,'” he admitted.
