‘South Park’s Political Satire Is Sharper Than Ever Nearly 30 Years After Its Debut

South Park has been all over the headlines this summer thanks to its explosive new season. After taking a few years off, the beloved hit is back and sharper than ever. While its more recent seasons have dialed back the explicit political commentary, this new outing is taking direct aim at Donald Trump. And surprise, surprise, he’s not a fan.

Trump satire is nothing new. He has been a near-constant presence in politics for over 10 years now. Comedians, talk shows, and sitcoms have all poked fun at the ex-Apprentice host. But South Park seems… special. In an era when Trump spoofs have grown increasingly stale and uninspired, South Park is revitalizing the field. Where some critics fear retaliation, the animated Comedy Central hit is not afraid to get its hands dirty.

The show’s mockery of the commander-in-chief is vulgar and downright bizarre at times. That helps it stand above the conventional “ha ha, Trump said something weird” schtick. They stoop right to his level. And it helps that their caricature of the POTUS is highly exaggerated, yet also surprisingly lifelike. If South Park continues this trend, it will likely maintain its hold on popular culture over the next few years.

‘South Park’s Unique Version of the POTUS

Paramount+

Alongside Saturday Night Live, South Park ranks among the most topical shows on television. Its six-day production schedule means that it can comment on current events unlike any other animated series. It’s satirized just about every significant American political and cultural moment since 1997. But it’s the current 27th season that’s attracting the most attention. This is largely due to its explicit mockery of the Trump administration, a topic the show had previously avoided.

During the first Trump presidency, local teacher Mr. Garrison was used as the show’s stand-in. Trump himself didn’t actually make an appearance until this season. He’s modeled with the square body and flappy head typical of the show’s Canadians, featuring a photorealistic cutout of the president’s live-action face as his head.

That’s the same way they once portrayed Saddam Hussein, right down to his romantic relationship with Satan. But this Trump isn’t meant to be an exact imitation of the real-life POTUS. The character is shrill, short-tempered, and profane, but far more energetic and comedic than the real thing. He also doesn’t go off on Trump’s signature disjointed, rambling “stories.” The South Park Trump is a typical cartoon villain, a tactic the show utilizes to make him seem far less threatening.

But how do you make Trump satire stand out in 2025? Almost every comic and late-night show centers its routine on mocking him. The formula is simple. Share some headline or crazy thing Trump did. Explain why it’s crazy, and make fun of his hair, mannerisms, or general personality. Get laughs from the audience. Rinse and repeat.

‘South Park’ Stoops Down to His Level

Donald Trump sitting next to Satan in the new teaser for 'South Park' Season 27, Episode 2.

Consider South Park: a cartoon villain Trump with a photorealistic head who is dating Satan is as unique as it gets. South Park isn’t impersonating Trump. They’re inventing a wildly outlandish character who takes some of his traits to the extreme. Look at the most recent episode. Jesus Christ (who is the elementary school’s new counselor) confronts Satan over his ties to Trump. Fox News speculates on the status of Trump and Satan’s relationship with the cleverly worded “Is Donald Trump F**king Satan?” Finally, Christ finds out that Satan cannot leave Trump because the president impregnated the prince of darkness with a “butt baby.” If that’s not creative, then what is? How can you not stand out with a synopsis like that?

Where other shows act superior by mocking what Trump says and does, South Park gets right down there in the trenches with him. It’s not afraid to be equally vulgar and offensive right back. While some critics have backed down after being threatened by the president, South Park continues unabated. Trump and his administration say South Park isn’t culturally relevant. It responds by repeatedly showcasing his micro… member.

Simply put, he punches them, and they punch back harder. That’s something we don’t see with other Trump-bashing shows. Late-night comics merely laugh at his remarks, but since his statements are inherently absurd, mocking them adds little insight. This season of South Park feels like the best of both worlds. It has the absurdity that was commonplace in the early seasons, and the scathing satire we’ve come to know and love. This time, both are dialed up to 11. South Park proves effective because the president struggles when others return his trademark insult comedy against him. Given their new five-year, $1.5 billion contract, we can expect to see a lot more of this style over the coming years. South Park is streaming on Paramount+.