South Park seems to be borrowing a tactic from Donald Trump by changing its name if it doesn’t suit them. The animated satire is set to premiere its 29th season under a new title, now called South America. This move, in line with the show’s satirical nature, is a direct jab at the U.S. president’s efforts to rename various geographic features with an American twist.
The show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, announced the name change, inspired by Apple and Google’s recent actions, with a touch of irony. The decision to rename South Park to SOUTH AMERICA was also a nod to their parent company Paramount. Paramount, owned by David Ellison, is facing legal action for allegedly striking a deal with Trump to facilitate the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Trump’s trend of renaming geographical landmarks started during his second term, with attempts to change the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America and Lake Ontario to Lake America. While some entities have resisted these changes, tech giants like Apple and Google have faced backlash for updating their maps accordingly.
The South Park name change coincided with Trump suggesting renaming New Mexico to New America. Whether this alteration to South America is a passing joke or a theme for the upcoming season remains to be seen, but it aligns with the show’s recent penchant for mocking Trump and his presidency.
The award-winning comedy series, known for its provocative humor since 1997, has consistently lampooned Trump and his allies, drawing criticism and controversy. The show’s recent Emmy win was celebrated on Instagram with a taunt at Trump, showcasing an animated Trump character holding an Emmy with the caption “You finally got your Emmy.”
Season 29 of South Park, or rather South America, is scheduled to premiere on September 16 on Comedy Central, followed by its Canadian release on Paramount+ the following day.