“South Park” has enjoyed President Donald Trump for many years, dating back to his first presidential term.
“South Park” Season Premier Lamphun Trump, Paramount
“South Park” begins the season with Donald Trump’s brutal satire takedown, including a scene showing him playing Trump in bed with Satan.
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Whether you’re a longtime “South Park” fan or have heard the show on Pass, you’ve probably heard it that Episodes so far.
The premiere of “South Park” season 27 began with a fierce take on President Donald Trump’s widespread attack on the media. The episode aired on Wednesday, July 23rd, shows a character with a card face in the cartoon body, wandering naked in bed with Satan. The episode refers to Paramount’s $16 million settlement with the president, and claims that Trump will receive ads worth $20 million on the network and cancel CBS’s “Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
In response to the episode, the White House told USA Today on Thursday, July 24th that the scene was a “desperate attempt to draw attention.”
During a panel on the show at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday evening, July 24th, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone called the episode “terribly sorry.”
Trump himself isn’t often portrayed directly in the series, but like in recent episodes, Parker and Stone use popular characters to represent the president throughout the next few seasons.
In the 20th season of the series, Garrison, a former elementary school teacher, won the 2016 US presidential election against Hillary Clinton. Became the garrison commander, and the character continues to function as a parody of Trump until 2020. President Garrison takes on Trump’s swooping blonde hair, sends out fiery social media posts, and gets hooked on hosting.
Let’s take a look at some of the key moments the president was featured or parodied in “South Park.”
“Where did my country go?” (Season 19, Episode 2)
“Where My Country Goes” highlights the US-Mexico border wall that Trump hoped to build long before he took office in 2017. The episode aired in September 2016 ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
In the episode, Garrison (not yet President Garrison) is beginning to promote the idea of building walls along the US-Canadian border to eliminate the number of illegal Canadian immigrants entering the country.
“Ah, Gees” (season 20, episode 7)
In “Ah, Gees,” Garrison was elected president in the 2016 election. The character, renamed President Garrison, continues to serve as a parody of Trump in the series until season 24, when Trump lost the 2020 election. The episode aired on November 9th, 2016, the day after the election.
“Members only” (season 20, episode 8)
In the next episode, “Members Only,” President Garrison begins his duties. He gets a Trump-style Toopy, tours the Pentagon, is given a book on “Military Secrets” and receives a fierce call with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“Put Down” (Season 21, Episode 2)
“Put It Down” highlights the US-North Korea ties and refers to Trump’s presence on social media.
In the episode aired in September 2017, President Garrison posted an aggressive tweet about nuclear missiles launched by North Korea, particularly the nation, causing a car accident with a driver distracted by the post.
“Double Down” (Season 21, Episode 7)
“Doubling” refers to Trump’s decline in popularity during his first presidential administration. This episode aired in November 2017. During the episode, President Garrison humiliates world leaders on a White House call, and his advisors discuss the low approval rate.
“Splatty Tomato” (season 21, episode 10)
Again, “Splatty Tomato,” a parody of Trump’s approval rating after the 2016 election. This episode aired in December 2017.
Throughout the episode, President Garrison pops up, scares the character and asks about his approval rating. The character compares Garrison’s sneak attack with the “Stranger Things” and “It” characters. At one point, the character Tweek is riding a bike around town when he sees a collection of balloons that reads “Make America Great Again.” The balloons then pop and reveal President Garrison, who asks Tweek about his rating.
“Pandemic Special” (Season 24, Episodes 1-2)
“Pandemic Special” was the premiere of Season 24. The episode aired in September 2020 satirizes the handling of the US COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest amid the Black Life Matter movement. President Garrison makes minor appearances in the episode, particularly using flamethrowers to encourage citizens to vote in the 2020 presidential election.
“Spring Break” (Season 26, Episode 6)
“Spring Break” is a parody of the riots of January 6th, 2021. In the episode, Garrison, who was newly defeated in the 2020 presidential election, travels to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his boyfriend. The episode aired in March 2023.
During the trip, Garrison begins to leave to make America great again despite the pleas of his boyfriend. The episode ends with Garrison leading a chant that guides supporters rushing through the US Capitol.
Want to watch an old episode? This is the way
Older and newer episodes of “South Park” can now be streamed on Paramount+ with paid subscriptions. Paramount+ Essential subscription costs $7.99 a month with ads, while Paramount+ Premium subscription costs $12.99 ads-free.
Contributors: Brian Truitt and Brendan Morrow, USA Today
Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.
