“South Park” just delivered its most-watched season premiere in 25 years. The cable comedy’s latest episode took direct aim at President Donald Trump, and viewers tuned in by the millions.
According to Variety, the episode brought in 5.9 million viewers, earning a 0.996 rating among adults 18-49. That’s a 15% increase from the previous season and the highest-rated premiere for the show since 1999.
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Controversy helped drive online buzz
While the show is no stranger to controversy, this time it turned up the volume — and audiences responded. Titled “Sermon on the Mount,” the premiere follows Trump as he threatens to sue the town of South Park. Much of the controversy unfolds around Jesus reappearing at a local school, where angry parents protest his presence.
In one scene, the Jesus character explained, “I didn’t want to come back and be in the school, but I had to because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount.”
That moment appears to parody Paramount’s $16 million settlement, reportedly tied to a “60 Minutes” interview involving former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Later in the episode, Trump storms into the White House and confronts a portrait artist, shouting, “Why is my d— so small?!” The painter calmly responds, “That’s the size it is in the photo.”
The episode escalates as Trump rips off his clothes and jumps into bed with Satan, revealing a comically small anatomy.
White House pushes back
The White House didn’t take the episode lightly.
In a statement to Straight Arrow News, spokesperson Taylor Rogers offered critique, saying in part, “Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows. This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.”
Trey Parker responds at Comic-Con
During a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, “South Park” cocreator Trey Parker addressed the backlash directly, using deadpan humor.
“Do you anticipate the reaction today? Have you been following it?” panel moderator Josh Horowitz asked.
Parker quickly responded with, “We’re terribly sorry,” with a straight face and long pause as the audience laughed.
Behind-the-scenes and another Trump episode
On Tuesday, July 29, the official “South Park” X account posted behind-the-scenes photos that have already surpassed 13 million views. The photos show how animators created Trump’s exaggerated features, including the much-memed visual gag around his anatomy.
But the creators aren’t finished.
The show followed up Wednesday, July 30, with a new trailer teasing what’s next. The animated version of Trump returns — again, alongside Satan.
More episodes on the way
The next episode airs Wednesday, Aug. 6. The season rollout comes after Parker and Matt Stone signed a $1.5 billion extension deal with Paramount, greenlighting 50 more episodes.
