In a surprising move reminiscent of Donald Trump’s tactics, the long-running animated show “South Park” has decided to undergo a rebranding for its upcoming 29th season. The show will now be known as “South America,” a name change aimed at poking fun at the U.S. president’s penchant for renaming geographical locations to include “America.”
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced the change, citing inspiration from tech giants Apple and Google, who have made similar bold moves. The decision to rename the show also includes a cheeky nod to their parent company Paramount, jokingly referred to as a “Skydance Capitulation.”
This change comes in the midst of legal controversies surrounding the show’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, and its owner David Ellison, who has denied any affiliation with Trump despite ongoing lawsuits over alleged deals related to the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Trump’s trend of renaming landmarks to emphasize American identity started during his second term, with initiatives like renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and recently directing the change of Lake Ontario to Lake America. While some entities have resisted these alterations, tech giants like Apple and Google have faced criticism for complying with the new names on their maps.
The decision to rename “South Park” as “South America” coincided with Trump’s suggestion on social media to rename New Mexico as New America. Whether this change is a fleeting gag or a running joke throughout the upcoming season remains to be seen, but it aligns with the show’s tradition of satirizing Trump and his administration.
Since its debut in 1997, “South Park” has garnered attention for its irreverent humor and biting political commentary, often drawing the ire of Trump and his supporters. The series has not shied away from lampooning Trump and his allies, showcasing them in various absurd and controversial scenarios.
The show’s latest jab at Trump came through an Instagram post celebrating its Emmy win, featuring an animated Trump character holding an Emmy with his pants down, accompanied by a taunting message. This ongoing feud between “South Park” and Trump is expected to continue in the upcoming season, premiering on Comedy Central on September 16 and on Paramount+ in Canada the following day.